‘This isn’t just about a homeless encampment,’ Former OPP commissioner on Barrie investigation

Chris Lewis, former OPP commissioner, spoke with CTV News in an exclusive interview elaborating on Barrie Police’s approach in the encampment investigation.

As a major police investigation continues to grip the City of Barrie, a former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner is raising questions about the unusually intense and secretive response.

Now in its ninth day, the investigation has transformed the area surrounding the former homeless encampment near Victoria Street into a tight-lipped, heavily secured and active police zone.

On Friday, large machinery, fencing materials, and city workers gathered near the area, suggesting something more significant than a routine enforcement or cleanup.

The city requested the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) attend the site to conduct an inspection. City officials say they are awaiting the result of their investigation.

Former OPP commissioner, Chris Lewis, spoke with CTV News in an exclusive interview elaborating on Barrie police’s approach, describing the operation as “a big, involved, in-depth investigation of some sort.” He added, “This isn’t about a homeless encampment. They’re looking for evidence of some sort that is way above and beyond the fact that homeless people were camped out there.”

Since police cordoned off Victoria Street, John Street, and Anne Street South late last Wednesday, speculation has grown with the lack of information. Detectives have been working day and night within the wooded area near the site, while the public remains in the dark.

“The scenes that have been identified have undergone and are continuing to undergo forensic analysis which is providing detectives the required and necessary evidence that is allowing this complex investigation to continue moving forward while the primary suspect, who was arrested on August 2 remains in custody,” Barrie police said in a statement on Friday.

“There has to be a good reason why Barrie Police aren’t releasing information,” Lewis said. “It’s really uncommon in this day and age. When the police generally should be giving more information than less when they can.”

According to the Busby Centre, over 40 people had been living in the encampment before it was vacated. Last Saturday, Barrie police arrested, ‘primary suspect,’ Robert Ladouceur, 52, who had been considered armed and dangerous.

• Ont. man centre of massive encampment investigation seeks bail

He now faces 19 criminal charges, including multiple weapons offenses related to a handgun and fleeing from police. Ladouceur appeared virtually in court Thursday morning, from a holding room at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene seeking bail. It is unclear if his arrest and charges are directly linked to the ongoing investigation. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.

Lewis emphasizes that the lack of information has caused frustration within the community, with Barrie residents eager to understand the nature of the investigation. Lewis points out the “delicate balancing act” law enforcement must maintain. “It’s always a tough rule of balance to try and keep the public aware of what you can tell them without jeopardizing an ongoing investigation or potentially a trial,” he said.

The former commissioner also touched on the scope of work. “Nine days in this specific location means they must be sifting through sand and dirt and screening.”

Police have been guarding the area all hours of the day, with the site secured by yellow police tape and barricades. “You think of people 24/7 guarding the scene, and that’s just to protect the scene and stop everyone from going in there,” Lewis told CTV News.

Although detectives are not yet able to share specific details of this investigation, it remains isolated and ongoing under the direction of the Barrie Police Service Major Crime Unit, who are continuing to receive assistance from other investigative units.

The continued silence from Barrie Police has only amplified concerns for residents as it becomes clear this prolonged investigation is anything but ordinary.