in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 4, 20 21 | 12 Social gatherings can have deadly consequences. Paid for by the Government of Ontario Stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at ontario.ca/covid-19 Maybe you're sweet on the bakery where you treat your family every Sunday morning. Or you're devoted to the fashion advice from the owner of the local clothing store. You could even be sold on the contractor who helped make your house a home. in 60 words or less. In the coming weeks, we'll share your stories with our readers. a series that explores the vital role locally owned businesses play in our communities launches March 15. Tell us about your favourite business at InsideHalton.com/lovelocal Love Local local business? Is there a special place in your heart for your favourite Halton police say a quarantine screening offi- cer has been charged with sexual assault and extor- tion in connection with an incident that allegedly oc- curred during a quaran- tine compliance check at an Oakville residence. On Thursday, Feb. 18 the screening officer, who is employed by one of four private security companies hired and trained by the Public Health Agency of Canada, was conducting a compliance check in Oak- ville to ensure a traveller was complying with the mandatory 14-day quaran- tine requirements under the Quarantine Act, police said. During this visit, police allege, the victim was told they were in violation of the quarantine order and told to pay a fine in cash. When the victim re- fused, she was sexually as- saulted, police allege. On Tuesday, Feb. 23 offi- cers with the Halton police child abuse and sexual as- sault unit arrested a 27- year-old Hamilton man. He has been charged with sexual assault and ex- tortion. The charges have not been proven in court. Police said they are not disclosing the name of the security company he works for but said he has been sus- pended from that job. The Hamilton man has since been released pend- ing a court appearance in Milton on March 23. Police are reminding residents that quarantine screening officers con- tracted by the Public Health Agency of Canada are not police officers and cannot issue tickets or con- duct an arrest. They also said an imme- diate demand for a pay- ment of any kind should never be made in the course of a quarantine compliance check. Anyone with any addi- tional information is asked to contact Halton police at 905-825-4747 or Crime Stop- pers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). QUARANTINE SCREENING OFFICER CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT CRIME SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM