Hamilton has spent $1,529,216.98 on extra security guards since the start of the pandemic to keep places like city-run vaccine clinics, testing centres, shelter programs and recreation centres safe.
City spokesperson Jasmine Graham told CBC Hamilton it spent $851,000 in 2020 and $678,000 in 2021 in extra costs for guards through its corporate security group.
She said the costs don’t reflect security guard services for elected officials, staff members or local hospitals. It’s unclear if the city uses private security in those cases.
The over $1.5 million includes some costs for security guards due to people opposed to public health measures, but CBC Hamilton wasn’t able to get details
