www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 28, 2010 · 8 There are reasons for wearing gas masks Continued from page 7 was swarmed and needed assistance. We couldn't do anything because everything's orchestrated, everything is under command and control authority because you can't have officers running here, there and everywhere," said Cousens. "But, this officer was under attack, if you will, and it's just a real terrible feeling for a police officer to hear an officer call for assistance and the helplessness of you standing there, unable to assist that particular police officer." A steady flow of intelligence reports and live news broadcasts, which were displayed at the front of the nearby CBC building, kept Halton police on top of what was happening around them. The images Cousens saw on the news made a lasting impression. "It's frustrating to see the amount of property damage and of course when you see police cruisers burned you don't necessarily think of Canada, but that was the reality of DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER the day," said Cousens. "It was somewhat satisfying from a IN TORONTO: Halton Regional Police officers prepare to start their day durpolicing perspective to see the arrests that took place the following day ing the G20 Summit. through the identification process, holding people accountable." While Halton police were told to put their gas masks on in anticipation of tear gas being used in their area, the large-scale protests never reached their fence line, with the exception of a lone protester who walked up and down the fence beating a drum. On Sunday, Halton police turned their section of the interdiction zone over to Calgary police and moved out into the streets of Toronto where they were tasked with stopping further property damage and gathering intelligence on those who had damaged property or attacked police during the previous day. While Halton police made no arrests during this period, or at anytime during the G20, they did confiscate things like hammers and gas masks from numerous people on the street. "It's not that it's prohibited to have, but under the circumstances why would individuals who are going to a peaceful protest bring gas masks with them?" asked Cousens. "Why would you be armed with a gas mask unless you are going to be there to create trouble?" Large-scale protests did take place that day, but Toronto police and other police services kept these out of the area Halton police were working in. Even so Cousens said being outside the security area and hearing 4,000 protesters approaching his location was a real wake-up call. Today Cousens has nothing but praise for the professionalism of the Halton police officers, most of whom were volunteers, who served at the G20 Summit. In addition to the Halton police on the ground, a Halton police marine unit also participated in the summit by keeping ships out of Toronto's closed harbours during the event. Cousens also praised Toronto police for their conduct and leadership, which allowed the summit to take place without interruption. Cousens said the property damage that took place was unfortunate, but inevitable given the nature of the G20 and where it was held. "The good part about this is there weren't very many people hurt," said Cousens. "If there were any, I believe they were limited to minimal injuries."