The mayors of Brampton and Mississauga have announced that their respective city councils will consider renaming parks in honor of two local police officers who were killed in the line of duty last week.
Brampton to Honor OPP Constable Tarun Bali
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown released a statement on Monday stating that he will bring forward a motion at Wednesday's council meeting to "honour the life and service" of Ontario Provincial Police Constable Tarun Bali. The meeting is scheduled just before Thursday morning's funeral service for Bali at the Mississauga Sports and Entertainment Centre.
Bali, 29, was struck and killed by a vehicle in Hearst, Ontario, a small town on Highway 11 between Thunder Bay and North Bay, while assisting in an investigation. Justin Veronneau, 18, of Hearst, is charged with murder and other offenses linked to Bali's death.
"Tarun Bali's connection to Brampton is profound," Brown's statement read. "He was raised in our city after his family immigrated to Canada from India and he maintained strong family ties here throughout his life. He was, in many ways, a son of Brampton."
Brown said his motion seeks to ensure that Bali's "legacy of service and sacrifice is permanently recognized" and that the city will work with the family to find a suitable park to honor him.
Mississauga to Consider Renaming Park for Constable Marc Pinizzotto
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said their council will also consider renaming Indian Gate Park in the city's south end in honor of slain Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto. The agenda for Wednesday morning's special council meeting includes discussion of renaming the park in a closed session.
Parrish, who plans to put forward the motion, told CityNews that the park south of the QEW between Erin Mills Parkway and Mississauga Road was frequented by Pinizzotto and his brothers when they were younger.
Pinizzotto, 43, a father of two, was described as an "incredible son, husband, father, coach and friend to many" in a social media post by Parrish. He was a member of the Toronto Police Emergency Task Force and was shot and killed on Thursday while serving a warrant at a North York apartment building. Nicholas Bennett, 19, who was shot multiple times during the exchange, is charged with first-degree murder.
A Sunday procession took Pinizzotto's body to the Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home in Thornhill ahead of a service expected to be announced in the coming days.
