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NO TAX STOREWIDE 3 DAYS ONLY CASH VISA MASTERCARD DEBIT FRI. JUNE 20, SAT. JUNE 21, SUN. JUNE 22 FREE DELIVERY TO GEORGETOWN & ACTON HOURS: Friday 9 am - 8 pm, Saturday 9 am - 6 pm, Sunday 11 am - 5 pm 53 VICTORIA RD. S., GUELPH 519-821-9331 UNCLES JOES FurnitureSuperstore 4 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, June 20, 2008 About 20 youths took to the sidewalk in front of the Georgetown police station Tuesday afternoon protesting the excessive force they say Halton Hills officers are using, particularly against youth. Support harsher disciplinary charges for police who use excessive force, and Make Love not Police Brutality, were emblazoned on two of the signs the youths were toting. A youth who identified himself as Ryan, and would not provide his last name, said the impetus for the demonstra- tion was an incident in front of the McGibbon Hotel early Saturday morning involving his friend in which he said police were hitting him, punching him and taking their anger out on him. The youth, who was not at the protest, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault police and resist arrest. Im not saying my friend was being a Good Samaritan, but after two cops are on you, you cant do much. Why does there need to be 12, or even more than three, asked Ryan, who wasnt at the McGibbon but heard about the incident from friends. Since the riot at the fair (in 2003) police have been using excessive force on minors, said Ryan, who alleged he was a victim of excessive force by police at a recent party in Georgetown. I thought police were supposed to talk, to de-escalate before they hit. Halton Regional Police Staff Sgt. Larry Masson said he hasnt seen evidence of a pattern of police using excessive force. Ryan said his friend (the accused in the McGibbon inci- dent) had filed a complaint with police. However, Masson, said no formal complaint had been filed. It appears from reports I read that the officers acted appropriately, said Masson. He said police were called to the hotel to disperse the crowd after it closed. He said the man that was later arrested, chose to start yelling profanities at police trying to incite the crowd against the two officers who attended. He was deemed to be intoxicated and causing a distur- bance. The officers arrested him for causing a disturbance. He violently resisted, and continued to incite the crowd. As a result he said officers had to call for backup, and a person in the crowd approached to interfere. Three officers ended up with minor injuries, one had to be treated at hospital for a bite, said Masson. Approximately 20 local youths gathered in front of Halton Regional Police 11 Division in Georgetown Tuesday afternoon, protesting police brutality towards some of their colleagues. Halton Police deny officers have used excessive force. Photo by Ted Brown Youths stage protest outside police station LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova wannabes will have new tennis courts to play on later this year. Halton Hills council has approved the tender to refur- bish the tennis courts at Prospect Park, Emmerson Park and Joseph Gibbons Park. The conditions of the courts have deteriorated to a point where they are deemed as unsafe to play, stated a staff report written by Facility supervisor John Archibald. The total cost is $206,580 about $19,000 under the budgeted amount. Court Contractors of Mississauga will do the four Prospect Park courts while Pacific Paving Ltd. of Mississauga will do the two Emmerson Park courts and the two Joseph Gibbons Park. Three of the Prospect Park courts will include an addi- tional penetration layer a Fiberglas green and red colour coat surface, said Director of Recreation and Parks Terry Alyman. The fourth will get a more resistant rubber- ized surface that will be designated for multi-activities such as basketball or ball hockey, he said. The present asphalt surface will be pulverized and re- used as a base material. The same pulverizing technique will be used at the Emmerson and Joseph Gibbons courts. However, these courts will be only resurfaced with a new asphalt layer. New line markings and posts for nets are part of the pro- ject. Before construction begins signs will be posted at each location to inform users the courts will be out of service until the work is complete. Tennis courts to be refurbished CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer