City to consider fines for people who get too close to Albion Falls

After months of more people than usual getting injured or dying at local waterfalls, Hamilton city councillors will considerslapping fines on people who inch too close to Albion Falls.

City council's public works committee will decide in July whether to put up hard "no trespassing" signs around the popular waterfall, where someone has already died this year. Last weekend, a boy fell there and crews removed him on a stretcher.

The city could already erect those signs and fine people, said Tom Jackson, Ward 6 councillor. But he wants it aired by councillors first.

"I'd like to bring that to get some feedback, if you will, from my colleagues," he said.

The city is already erecting more permanent fencing. Jackson said it'll be in place for theCanada Day long weekend.

Workers will put up black fencing, around six feet tall, to encourage people to keep away from the edge.

Jackson said he's "hoping and praying" no one falls this weekend.

"Stay on the perimeter," he said. "Don't venture to the point where you're putting yourself in harm's way. That's what my plea, my desire, my prayer and my hope is."

Jackson has been working on the issue since last year, when he convened a group of city, conservation authority and emergency officials to look at ways to prevent people from falling at city waterfalls.

The group is looking at, among other options,more signs, extended fencing and other barriers, including natural barriers such as rocks and vegetation. It's also looking at more pathway markers.

The problem isn't limited to Albion Falls, although its cascading waters have received the most focus lately.In 2016, emergency crews performed 25 rope rescues the largest number in at least seven years. Six of those were at Albion Falls.

In January, city council even debated charging people who require rope rescues, but decided against it.

samantha.craggs@cbc.ca | @SamCraggsCBC