York police issue public warning after multiple crane climbing incidents

York Regional Police are reminding the public about the dangers of trespassing in construction sites and climbing cranes.

The public warning was issued on Monday, following several reports of trespassing and several charges involving climbing construction cranes in the past few weeks.

According to York Police, on May 22, they were called to a construction site on Yonge Street, north of 19th Avenue in the Town of Richmond Hill for a report of a group of youths trespassing. Upon arrival, officers located a group of six youths climbing down the ladder of a 12-storey crane.

Around the same time, police attended to another construction site at Leslie Street and 16th Avenue where another group of six kids had scaled a crane at a construction site. They say the incidents are not related.

Police say that parents attended both scenes and all of the youths were advised of the potential dangers of their actions and were charged with under the Trespass to Property Act.

A few days later on May 27, police were called to a construction site in the area of Main Street and Lloyd Street in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville after two people were spotted on a 10-storey construction crane. As officers were gaining access to the site, one person climbed down and fled the scene. The other also managed to climb down, but was caught and the 22-year-old was charged criminally with Mischief.

And over the past weekend, June 11, 2017, police were notified of two people on the top of a 13-storey construction crane at Yonge Street and Eagle Street in the Town of Newmarket. Both male youths climbed down and were arrested. The 16-year-olds were charged with Mischief and Enter Premise When Entry Prohibited under the Trespass to Property Act.

“It is unclear what the motive is for this disturbing trend of illegal high-risk activity, however it not only places the climbers in extreme danger, it also places first responders in danger,” said York Police in a release. “York Regional Police does not take these incidents lightly and people engaging in this activity may find themselves facing criminal charges.”

See also