As The Hamilton Spectator's lead crime reporter since 2016, Nicole O'Reilly has built a reputation for deep-source investigative journalism that balances human stories with systemic analysis. Her work primarily focuses on:
Successful story angles typically involve:
Recent accolades include the 2024 Ontario Newspaper Award for her examination of plea bargain disparities and the Hamilton Police Service's rare civilian media relations honor. O'Reilly continues shaping Canada's crime reporting standards through her commitment to contextualized, impact-driven journalism.
We've followed Nicole O'Reilly's work as she's established herself as a vital voice in Canadian crime journalism. With over a decade of reporting for The Hamilton Spectator, O'Reilly has become synonymous with authoritative coverage of law enforcement operations, courtroom dramas, and public safety issues impacting Ontario's Steel City.
O'Reilly's meticulous reconstruction of a September 2024 traffic fatality demonstrated her forensic approach to accident reporting. By obtaining exclusive access to police collision reconstruction reports and interviewing forensic engineers, she provided readers with a 3D visualization of the crash dynamics through detailed prose. The article's impact led to renewed calls for improved lighting on Barton Street, with city council allocating $2.3 million for infrastructure upgrades six months after publication.
This investigative piece exposed a 300% increase in bear spray incidents at local schools since 2022. O'Reilly's sourcing of confidential school safety reports and interviews with emergency room physicians created a compelling narrative about the public health implications of unregulated deterrent weapons. Her reporting directly influenced provincial legislation banning minors from carrying chemical irritants, passed in March 2025.
O'Reilly's real-time coverage of the downtown chemical scare showcased her ability to synthesize technical information for public consumption. By embedding with the police explosive disposal unit (with rare access granted due to her established credibility), she produced a minute-by-minute account of the 14-hour containment operation. The article's detailed explanation of picric acid's instability became required reading for Ontario's hazardous materials training programs.
O'Reilly prioritizes stories demonstrating how Hamilton police are adapting to emerging crime trends. A successful 2024 pitch highlighted the division's new drone-based surveillance program targeting auto theft rings. When proposing stories, emphasize measurable outcomes and include quotes from patrol officers rather than just PR spokespeople.
Her coverage of the David Gomez-Rodriguez murder trial set a new standard for victim-centered court reporting. Effective pitches should identify defendants/victims willing to share unique perspectives on the judicial process, particularly cases involving youth rehabilitation programs or restorative justice initiatives.
The bear spray investigation exemplifies O'Reilly's interest in crime's societal ripple effects. Pitches about business impacts (e.g., retail theft's effect on local shopkeepers), public space modifications, or community-led safety programs align well with her beat development goals.
O'Reilly frequently incorporates crime statistics and 911 call logs into her analysis. Successful pitches include pre-packaged FOIA requests or visualizations of crime pattern data specific to Hamilton's neighborhoods.
While she occasionally covers high-profile arrests, O'Reilly's work focuses on systemic issues rather than sensational cases. Pitches involving influencer-related crimes or entertainment industry legal matters typically get redirected to other reporters.
"O'Reilly's reporting doesn't just inform citizens - it transforms how communities understand public safety." - Canadian Association of Journalists judging panel, 2023
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Crime, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
