By Mike Pearson, News Staff

Hamilton’s community services division is reviewing its security protocols and engaging Hamilton police in a crime prevention audit in response to a highly publicized cell phone theft at Morgan Firestone Arena.

A 23-year-old Hamilton man  was arrested on Feb. 8 after an alert hockey dad spotted his son’s stolen iPhone for sale on Kijiji. Several players from a visiting Guelph, Ont. youth hockey team reported the theft of electronic devices from a dressing room while players were on the ice. The story, carried online by Hamilton Community News on Feb. 9 was featured on Global TV’s national newscast on Feb. 13.

A city communications officer said hockey coaches are encouraged to obtain a dressing room key to secure personal items while players are on the ice.

Since the Feb. 7 theft at Morgan Firestone, city staff have posted signs alerting arena users of the recent thefts and reminding patrons to secure their valuables. A crime prevention audit by Hamilton police is also underway.

Dressing room keys are available upon request by completing a sign-out sheet. The city has also contacted the presidents of both minor hockey leagues in Ancaster to remind team officials of the need to secure valuables.

The city is currently working on updating its key allocation procedure, with a new policy set to be implemented city-wide.

City staff will work with the Ontario Recreational Facilities Association in developing the new procedure.

“One of the steps we are considering is locking the room in advance of any group arriving which would then force the team to get a key,” Scott Mairs district recreation manager stated in an email. “There are some logistical challenges with this, but an option we are considering as part of this procedure.”