A $2,500 youth scholarship is up for grabs as proposals are underway this Black History Month for a Halton resident who submits a winning design for a Black Heritage Police cruiser to be used by Halton Regional Police.

Submissions are being accepted until February 28, after which members of Halton police and the black community will pick a winning design.

“The individual who submits the winning design proposal will be awarded a one-time $2,500 youth scholarship to be used personally or by someone of their designation for post-secondary education,” said Halton police Sgt. Ryan Smith.

Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie said police have not been able to attend community events.

“Due to the pandemic, was are unfortunately unable to organize or participate in Black History Month events like we historically have,” Wilkie said in a release.

The intiative is in collaboration with eight Black organizations; including African Caribbean Council of halton, Black Mentorship Inc., the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton.

“This cruiser is a unique way for us to highlight our commitment to working with and learning more about our region’s African and Caribbean community, not only during Black History Month, but year-round,” he said.

All residents of Halton are encouraged to submit design proposals that highlight the rich history of African and Caribbean culture in the region. From contributions to the Underground Railroad, to key figures, and significant historical landmarks, the vehicle wrap could highlight a number of contributions from right here in our own region.

Visit haltonpolice.ca/blackheritagecruisercontest to learn more about the contest and submission criteria, and to submit your design.

HOMELESS CLIFF now has more than $17,000 thanks to a Go Fund Me campaign by the community. Courtesy photo.

Homeless Cliff has struck it rich.

More than $17,000 has been raised by residents in the Bloor St. W. and Prince Edward Drive community to help a homeless man who has fallen on hard times.

A fundraiser on Go Fund Me was started in early February by Luisa Piccirilli to help a man, identified as Cliff, who she said in a social media post has been staying in a bus shelter on Prince Edward Dr., or on Grenview, just south of Bloor St. W.

Piccirilli has used her own funds to pay for a week’s stay for Cliff at a local motel so he could get out of the cold. Another resident has vowed to pick up his stay for another week since it is freezing outside.

“He is a very kind soul living in our neighbourhood,” Piccirilli said. “He is homeless and most days can be found at the bus shelter.”

She is calling on others to donate if possible some gift cards for food such as No Frills, Tim Horton’s or Starbucks.

“I welcome any suggestions you may have and thank you in advance for your compassion and understanding,” she wrote.

Picirilli said there are others ‘working around the clock’ to find Cliff a more permanent home.

He is also in need of warm socks, base layers, gloves and winter gear.

“He will be seeing an eye doctor for an exam at the end of the month and getting a new free pair of glasses thanks to FYI Doctors who heard about his story on the radio,” Picirilli posted. “He will also be speaking to a case worker on Monday.”

She said a priority is to find a long-term home for Cliff as the temperature drops.

So far more than $17,000 has been raised to help Cliff, though organizers were hoping for $10,000.

All the funds will be used to help Cliff, residents say.

Picirilli’s efforts to help Cliff has been recognized on social media by fellow neighbours and friends.

“I commend Luisa’s effort to help this gentleman who has fallen upon difficult times,” Susan Jones replied as she made a donation.

“It is natural to help others if we have the ability to do so, not because of anything,” wrote Queenie Law. “Wish everyone can be safe and happy.”

1. V. Viteri said this is a definition of neighbourly love.

“This is what love thy neighbour means, showing kindness to perfect strangers,” Viteri said.

The Scales of Justice is old as time itself and will eventually catch up with a suspect. A judge, like Budzinski, will later determine guilt.

Last month we were discussing expert evidence and its dangers. Before we see the expert’s role in a murder case, we need to understand the concerns for this type of evidence.

Experts, if qualified, are the few witnesses allowed to express opinions on matters beyond the knowledge of the ordinary citizen.

Opinions on mental competency, cause of death, accidents and child abuse are examples. The average witness can opine on
simpler matters of everyday experience like speed, anger, and identity.

Yes! Identity is an opinion made from interpreting a combination of distinct observations such as hair, colour, characteristics like scars and configuration of the facial features. You need to explain why it’s the same person. Identity is also the largest
cause of wrongful convictions. Opinions on intoxication are border line where the average citizen’s knowledge and the expert’s ability can both express some opinion regarding the effect.

Courts have always regarded expert evidence with caution, recognizing that a jury may place undue weight on it. The expert must establish their field of study is recognized by
showing an understanding of the field beyond the ordinary person: membership and standards in a professional organization, recognized academic qualifications, research or
experience in the field and such.

The expert then has to objectively set out the facts, leading to their opinion, both pro and con. Objectivity is the foundation of science. It’s important to offset “confirmation bias” –
where your belief determines how you filter and view the facts.

Lastly, they must set out the theory they are applying to their facts and why. That theory must be widely accepted by the
field , tested and verified, not one held by a few contrary. Their duty is to the court. The court is gate keeper and not a peer review panel to decide which is the best science. The court must avoid dealing with ‘dueling theories’, that’s for the scientists.

Of course, their bias can be questioned such as who is paying their fees. If their assumed facts or the expert’s interpretation of them aren’t proven or accepted by the jury, they can reject
the opinion.

In our case, the issue was with the first girlfriend, denying knowledge about the murder she phones the police after a year. We had no idea she was there. Her evidence fit the facts but
still we questioned her motive, jealousy or honesty. We had a circumstantial case, a recent insurance policy and the accused’s lies to the police. We were concerned the trial would be
about her clouding the real issue, the murder.

We also had the duty of presenting all reliable evidence. What was her explanation? Was it trustworthy? Was she an accomplice? We felt it morally wrong for a Crown Attorney to call any witness we doubted.

Also, without moralizing, it is important to re-enforce your case from attacks that she recently fabricated her evidence.

It is always a delicate area for a Crown to questions its key witness’s motive. When the Crown questions their testimony or asks for an explanation they feel you are against them and they
lose trust in you. It was my responsibility to ensure respect and confidence in witnesses, it is also my responsibility to avoid wrongful convictions.

It becomes even more difficult when the key witness is a complainant but that‘s another story for another time.
We retained a psychiatrist. We needed to know why she came to us so late? Was it to seek retribution, or a legitimate inability to live with the event?

The psychiatrist’s evidence would not be available for trial unless the defense suggested she had recently made up a story; otherwise believability is solely a decision for the Jury but it would fulfill our duties. The murder story continues next month.

Judge Lloyd Budzinski retired after 28 years and was a former Crown Attorney, Defence Counsel and Ontario’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Criminal Law.
He was Chief Prosecutor in the high-profile trial of former RCMP officer Patrick Michael Kelly, who was found guilty of murder for throwing his wife from
the 17th floor balcony of their Palace Pier condo in March 1981.

        The Salvation Army in Long Branch says it has been hit hard
by COVID-19 and is seeking donations of cash and food to
help area residents in need.
It warns that the demands are high for those using the food
bank, and only five people can be inside the building at one
time. Users are asked to call ahead.
“Many people have been laid off or had their hours cut due to the virus,” says Youth Pastor Jennifer Hibbs. “We also
have many people working at home and their families are not
at school.”
The more than 150-year old organization had its largest fundraising event, the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign, cancelled after three days due to the pandemic.
Hibbs says the Salvation Army is resuming its Community
Lunch that takes place every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1
p.m. at the Thirthieth Street facility.
The Salvation Army was founded in London, England in
1865 by Rev. William Booth and his wife, Catherine. The organization started in
Canada in 1882. The Lakeshore Community Church is an amalgamation of the
Long Branch Corps and the Mimico Corps, formerly on Mimico Ave. More than
300 families receives their services monthly and 800 plus families receive Christmas assistance each year from the Long Branch chapter, located at 5 Thirtieth
Street, and can be reached at 416-251-8372. Donations can be left at the church.