Editor’s note: Shortly after this article was posted, the Town and County issued a statement – see update below.
It’s been several days since the Town deemed the encampment by homeless people on the West Beach to be illegal and they decided to do nothing. Since then drug dealers have tried to sell them drugs and fired shots (well, just one) causing a Police presence but still no word from any of the parties responsible. There are several news items on Today’s Northumberland and a large number of comments by the public on this blog and the Town’s Facebook page. I’m certain that councillors are getting deluged with emails from the Public but there’s been no reporting to the public on what is happening – if anything. Suggestions include bussing non-Cobourg residents out, housing them elsewhere, withholding tax payments to get the Town’s attention, evicting and taking our chances with a court case and more.
So far, the only politician to visit the site and make a statement has been MPP David Piccini – he said that the by-laws should be enforced but of course he cannot make that happen himself. Maybe he can get Ford to pass a law that says “notwithstanding” the Waterloo ruling, by-laws can be enforced.
But there’s been no statement from the Mayor or anybody in the Town – not even a follow up to the August 12 statement saying “we’re working on it”. Perhaps the upcoming regular Council meeting on 21 August will include a statement but the Agenda for that meeting is not yet available. It’s expected late today (18 August – go here).
The only statement from the Police is that they “continue to investigate this incident [the shooting]. At this time it is believed that there is no risk to public safety.”
The County is officially responsible for Social services including homelessness but have made no statement on what they might be doing, if anything. The subject was not brought up – at least not publicly – in the recent County Council meeting.
Update – 18 August
The above post was issued at 1:00 pm 18 August and at 3:49 pm 18 August, the Town and the County jointly released an update. A response or just good timing? Here it is in full.
County and Town of Cobourg continuing with coordinated action to support voluntary resolution to encampment by Cobourg West Pier
Cobourg, ON – August 18, 2023 – Northumberland County and Town of Cobourg staff continue to work together with community partners to ensure a coordinated response to the current encampment by the Cobourg West Pier, including connections to services for individuals who are tenting, and working towards by-law compliance. Partners including NHH Community Mental Health Services outreach workers, and the Cobourg Police Homeless Addiction Resource Project (HARP) team have been actively engaged.
“Our collective goal is to support voluntary resolution of the encampment through offers of service,” states Northumberland County Director of Community and Social Services Lisa Horne. “Outreach workers have been working directly with those tenting to connect them with supports in the community. Workers are attending the encampment regularly, making connections to emergency shelter, to the Help Centre for support with current rental listings, to social assistance registration, health, mental health and addictions support, food supports, and other essential services, depending on the needs of the individual.”
This week, as a precautionary health and safety measure, Town of Cobourg staff also introduced short-term measures such as garbage collection and porta-potties in this area, as part of its Parks Department operations for management of the property.
“This is a temporary response to reduce environment and health and safety concerns and to reduce community impacts while work is underway to support voluntary resolution of the encampment,” states Town of Cobourg CAO Tracey Vaughan.
Municipal Law Enforcement staff are conducting twice daily patrols of the area and will continue to enforce municipal by-laws related to nuisance, noise, and protection of trees and park lands. Regular updates are being provided to Council.
Northumberland County and the Town of Cobourg will continue to collaborate across their respective areas of operation, and with partner agencies, to ensure a coordinated response for supporting tenting individuals to transition from the encampment to community services. Should community members have any concerns regarding the violation of municipal by-laws, they are advised to contact the Town of Cobourg Municipal Law Enforcement department at 905-372-8380.
++++++++++++++++++++
So the Town and County are doing something – that’s the good news.
Pete Fisher’s “Today’s Northumberland” has been doing a good job reporting the facts. Below are links to his current news items covering this. Some include videos.
Today’s Northumberland Reports
- MPP Visits homeless encampment along Cobourg Beach – 18 August
- Target of shooting in Cobourg said Suspects wanted to sell Drugs at encampment – 18 August
- Cobourg Police Investigating Gunshots at homeless encampment – 17 August
- “We Just Want to Survive” Says Resident of Homeless Encampment on Cobourg Shoreline – 11 August
Previous Cobourg Blog Report
- Town Announces Situation on Homeless Camps – 12 August 2023
Town Links
Town Statement
- Town of Cobourg Municipal Law Enforcement Responds to Encampment by West Pier – 12 August – no word from the Town since this statement.
Town Encampment Response Plan
Town Facebook page
- Link to Town Facebook – For relevant post and comments, look for Cobourg Municipal Law enforcement and Licensing – 5 days ago as of 18 August – 114 comments at last check
Print Article:
I note that the Williams Street encampment now has several large (40 foot?) metal shipping containers. These are heavy and could only be moved with an 18-wheeler. In addition there are several PortaPotties. Is this part of the county’s plan to remove the illegals?
On Chex news that man named Horgan, previously posting on this blog was busy transporting some of these homeless to Peterborough to a Motel 6 paid for by donations – who supplied these donations? – as their tents blew away over the weekend. It is temporary so presumably he will return to pick them up so as in the next update preparation should be made to give them immediate notices to vacate on their return and to the new tents that will be supplied by whomever is doing so.
Green Wood Coalition and TweakEasy. It is public information that Robert Horgan is affiliated with both. As well as the homeless addict on Pete’s video today (the one who says it costs $2k to stay at St. Peter’s warming room in winter—not true!) St. Peter’s should be spoken of very highly for that man. The churches do not get enough recognition for all that they do for the less fortunate in our town. Mr. Horgan is very active on Facebook apparently and has stated he gives the “tenters” food all of the time. He also viciously and incessantly slanders the Mayor. Some “people” choose to embolden users…instead of really helping them to kick their habit, rather disgusting.
Huge difference between an addict and many, many others suffering financially. An encampment “community” is very dangerous. Infighting, paranoia, stealing from each other, lying, manipulating, violence, rape. Pure Anarchy.
Not to further mention the reports of people from the neighbours where they set up. These people have found needles, feces, condoms, addicts having sex on their properties. They have been threatened as they walk about in their neighbourhood by the addicts who are reported to have come onto their porches, backyards and even necessitated they have their doors locked at all times as a woman reported finding one had entered her home and was in her son’s room looking to steal. Fortunately when she screamed he ran out of her home. Could have ended much worse for her!
It has been disappointig in these last few years here in Cobourg and more so recently with them setting up right across from Victoria Hall every Friday night and the citizens left wondering as there was not a peep from the mayor or policie chief who provides a warming centre for them right in the police station. Hardly gives one faith Newbie in the feeling our Civic leaders are not as alarmed as we are.
In the first paragraph Newbie I describe the reports from Toronto where they are so very established in shelters, parks and local hotels.
They have set up an encampment now behind the old Kraft factory on William St. don’t know if the squatters on the beach will migrate there.
I noticed it this afternoon (Wed. 23rd) when passing by. Wondered what the story was there.
Thanks for clarifying the matter.
Newbie,
I find your description of the “community” in the last paragraph eerily similar to scenes in the Lord Of The Flies novel.
Pete M- That is exactly how I see it! Lord of the Flies.
He also slanders the police chief and has written letters that you can read on their website. Also slanders Pete Fisher, the reporter. It’s the same guy who was kicked out of the last Council meeting so I doubt anyone will listen to him other than tweakeasy and Greenwood. It’s a shame he can slander people with impunity.
Carole- oh yes, i have heard. It is sad that people in our town are listening to Missy McLean, from Peterborough and this Robert Horgan, from Bowmanville. They have both slandered Cobourgers with impunity. The Mayor, Pete Fisher…anyone against their agenda. Utilizing the media to gain traction, with false information. I know the Mayor asked Mr. Horgan to stop. The vile he has for the Mayor is unbelievable.
2 false media posts:
1. The heavy rain and winds, Mr. Horgan puts himself out there as a hero. There was NO heavy rains or wind this past weekend. He claims was a “Humanitarian crisis “.
2. The interview with Emmerson G with Pete Fisher. He says St. Peter’s warming room in winter is over 2k a night. Not true either.
From Northumberland County website: “Cobourg, ON – November 29, 2022 – An overnight warming room planned for St. Peter’s Church, Cobourg, will be open to community members in need as of Wednesday, November 30. With an investment of nearly $250,000 in County levy and provincial funding, the warming room, located at 240 College Street, Cobourg, will be available from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. seven days a week until the end of March 2023. This service will be an additional safe space where residents can take shelter from the cold and access washrooms and light refreshments.”
This is, in fact, over $2,000/night.
Newbie and Local,
The warming room cost could be $2K per night or somewhat less depending on what factors are considered.
There are about 121 days from Nov 30 to Mar 31, so a cost of $2k per night is true if no other factors are considered. Are these operations costs for the period (salaries, laundry, janitorial, etc.) or does it include equipment such as bed, sheets and blankets, which can be used for several years?
There is also the cost per “customer” to be considered. Will the facility benefit 1 person, 5, 10, 20, 40, more?
This issue, as with many, there are several (many?) perspectives and agendas. Care and skepticism is needed in assessing the claims of any faction.
Local. Thank you for clarifying.
How I interpreted the video, was that this individual was saying homeless individuals had to pay this cost. That is certainly how I took it. So why would this individual even mention that cost? Be concerned about that cost? It was a rather vague comment, seemingly tossed into the interview, in my opinion.
Dave, the tents were all still up on Sunday, when I walked by with my dog? And there was no heavy wind or rain Sunday nite. Curious?
Here is the link to the article Newbie on the moving of the homeless from West Beach by Chex News report –
https://globalnews.ca/news/9910150/storm-struck-cobourg-encampment-peterborough-relocations/
Peterborough Man Says He Was Given A Choice of Being Homeless or Coming to Cobourg
There have been comments about “build it and they will come” and other communities “dumping” people in need into other communities. Peterborough seems to be doing this to Cobourg, according to an article in Today’s Northumberland.
https://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2023/08/21/exclusive-peterborough-man-says-he-was-given-a-choice-of-being-homeless-or-coming-to-cobourg/
This man is educated but possibly violent which is how he lost his first apartment in Peterborough. He was then provided a second apartment, a motel and moved to an apartment in Cobourg. Now he is homeless. I have some limited experience working with CMHA. They have rented apartments directly from landlords. We all know how difficult it is to find apartments for individuals. The CMHA can be a good long-term tenant but their sub-tenants do have mental health problems. A sub-tenant may have good intentions trying to help homeless people but that can cause problems for a landlord. Hopefully this man now understands that his situation is, at least in part, likely a big part, his own doing. Is he capable of working? If so did he try to get a job in Cobourg? The CMHA provides weekly visits to check on people. It has been suggested the CMHA case workers really do not want to get people fully independent because the case workers would have less work and the CMHA receive less funding. Sort of the same mentality of spending your entire budget instead of finding savings or your might not get as much next time. I sometimes go to Peterborough and would gladly provide a ride for him. Would he be better off in Peterborough because it has been his home for 27 years, in Cobourg where he has made new ‘friends’ or somewhere else?
This man is in “promo” or “what we are about” video from GWC and has been violent.
I went to the bank yesterday, after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment. When I mentioned my wait time, the banker stated they have absolutely no staff, and that’s why the wait was so long. So, the bank is hiring for anyone looking? People can’t be upset when immigrants come and make a good life for themselves here. There are so many jobs, but people are not being given the right kind of help (partially because of radical groups like GWC). This is your chance people! Otherwise don’t complain when we have to bring in people from other countries to do these jobs. They’ll be thankful for the opportunity and will not be camped out on the beach waiting for the next handout.
Yes, expats seem to be hard workers, especially ones coming from authoritarian or poor countries. Many I have met are grateful to live in our beautiful country with so many resources and freedoms available to them.
I suppose many are Newbie but you can’t generalize. In commercial trucking in a company I was fortunate to be hired in – tired of being on the highway in long haul – I found due to my experience, ability to deliver on time without damage I would find myself working full hours of service regularly – at that time 13 hours driving – 2 on duty. Many of the drivers were new Canadians who thought the job was 9 – 5. One company we had a contract with made hydro transformers requiring a flatbed and strapping to move. The company said you have two drivers we want here – me and another, also an experienced Canadian driver – don’t send any of the others as they are careless and damage these very expensive transformers. On city delivery they would constantly call dispatch for direction – heard them on the 2 way radio – Perly’s Guide – apparently too much trouble for them to look it up for themselves.
Yes, I agree about generalizing, that is why I said,”many I have met” and “seem to be”.
Generalizing is something we all do, though…it is a type of mental map to orientate ourselves…without it we would not be able to navigate our way through life.
I really hope there is action by bylaw down there today.
On Sunday all the tents were still standing, when I walked by with my dog…so find it curious Mr. Horgan was moving people to ptbo, yesterday (Monday) due to tents being ruined from wind and rain? Because there was no heavy wind or rain Sunday night?
That is what was reported on the news although I heard it 2nd hand. I will add my wife worked multiple contracts desiring further insight into the changed employment force and found the same thing. The new Canadians were as guilty of job apathy as anyone else. I could outline examples but this is an aside in response to Catherine’s comment from the topic.
I hear what you are saying Dave. I found the article and it is simply not true! The tents have always been there. Alot of games being played by organizations to get their way, I think.
https://globalnews.ca/news/9910150/storm-struck-cobourg-encampment-peterborough-relocations/
I read the article as well. The campers were moved back to the tents on Monday. Maybe the storm was Friday evening when the power was out. The encampment residents missed most of Ribfest.
I did a search Newbie. Here is an excerpt – if you want to see the whole article google Chex News – motel 6, cobourg residents ( I would have to switch to another browser to be able to provide a link)
“The encampment at the West Beach on the shore of Lake Ontario in Cobourg was struck by a storm, prompting some residents to step in to offer help to those experiencing homelessness.”
He transported 18 to the Motel 6.
Yes, I saw. I was reading, I guess as you wrote your response. I put link above. Thanks!
When I was downtown with my kids this morning, I noticed two men gathering their belongings at the pirate ship/play structure. It seemed like they had spent the night there. Later in the afternoon, I spoke to a bylaw officer who shared his concern about these individuals still being there and not removing themselves from a children’s play area. About an hour later, when I passed by again, they were gone, due to the help of the police and the bylaw enforcement.
Thank you to the bylaw officer who had a sense of urgency and really appeared concerned about the comfort levels of parents and their children. I was surprised by how effective he was after reading some of the comments on this blog.
Play structures are for children!
Let’s wait until Council wants a raise in pay…Same for the police.
The police were called today as a regular bin diver was at it once again. On arrival they stated there was nothing they could do and therefore did absolutely nothing. Don’t see why enforcing trespass and theft laws on bin divers is not enforced. The police might as well stay home!
I have found that reporting anything do with criminal actions to Cobourg police relating to drug users running our town into the ground is a complete waste of time and energy. Yes you are correct the police might as well stay at home along with the bylaw officers.
Once again, I’ll repeat, we’d save a Whole lot of money if we went with OPP.
Hey You know that Idea of these Homeless wanting to work that the Chris fellow threw out there in his interview with Fisher .
Turns out it might be a great idea to have then working for the Fruit farmers
after all as suggested in my last post
These folks can Pick in the Dark for 8 hours They have gone through everyone’s garbage down here picking Bottles and Cans unfortunately they are loud and messy May be they can work in the County Recycle plant as well.
I see the illegal drug tent was set up in the Henley Arcade once again this weekend…an image was posted to L. Cleveland’s FB page without a comment from the Mayor. Cleveland has gone radio silent on social media. DM Beatty refused to comment on the shooting as it is an “ongoing investigation” – there isn’t anything about the ongoing investigation that prohibits condemning the behaviour, demonstrating leadership and passionate about the safety for the taxpayers and committing to enforcing by-laws. Beatty’s FB is noticeably quiet. Councilor Adam Bureau who generally posts on FB everyday hasn’t actively posted since August 11.
Some might suggest we are seeing a dereliction of duties on behalf of Council, at best we are seeing incredibly poor public relations decisions and a disregard for transparency and communication with taxpayers.
Excellent post Rob !! Email is also being sent to the mayor deputy mayor person in charge of bylaw and the police chief with zero apparent actions on all if the laws being broken daily in downtown Cobourg. I don’t think you will find a backbone in the whole bunch of them.
I see the Mayor just posted on his open Facebook page. He is saying if he wasn’t representing Cobourg at the AMO Conference in London Ontario, he would 100% be at the 180th Celebration Concert in the Park tomorrow night.
https://www.amo.on.ca/2023-amo-conference
Cobourg burns and our Leader is going to a 3 day conference. The program says listen to political speeches and attend workshops, study tours and looking at exhibits featuring services and products to help you and your community succeed.
Mr. Cleveland you truly do need to resign. You have lost all respect and are not a Leader.
I suspect both the official policy of “do nothing,” and the relative silence on the issue from members of Council and the CPS have a lot less to do with, “adherence to the radical woke agenda of the Federal Liberals,” than the comments on here would have you believe, and a whole lot more to do with the people involved’s fear of being individually named in any potential lawsuits.
My husband and 5 year old just went down to the beach to play at the park – except as action was saying, it seems 2 men have made a home out of the pirate ship. Ugh. I don’t even know what to think or do anymore it’s so sad.
Please report this to CPS and the Town and ask for them to follow-up with you.
Bi-law is supposedly going over there to deal with it. Will see what happens.
Okay looks like no-law can’t do much except call someone on the radio 😑. Was busy checking meters because apparently that’s more important. Stuff scattered everywhere. Please anyone with kids be VERY careful if you are taking them to the pirate ship playground. Could very easily be needles buried in the sand.
Perhaps town staff should consider the article at https://www.thespec.com/opinion/has-allowing-encampments-put-hamilton-at-lawsuit-risk/article_96ba48c9-72e2-5607-8af5-9ae3558d69f5.html
Short summary: Cobourg has a responsibility to ensure that needles left on the ground don’t harm anyone.
I passed the Hamilton link to a friend who is a Toronto lawyer and his replay was:
Wow – thank you for looking into this!!
Ken,
Agree with you if the dangerous litter is on TOWN property, such as the pirate ship at Victoria Beach (Cobourg east beach) or the West Beach boardwalk.
The encampment on the West Beach is different, as it is likely on private property and not Town property.
Why have the owners not made trespass complaints and if they have, why have the cops not acted?
See the latest post. The encampment at the West Beach is on Town property and the Town is now moving on the issue.
So sorry to hear this Catherine but unfortunately not surprised given our zero action police and town officials. When I reported this last night one of my main concerns was syringes being left in the structure or in the sand exactly as you mentioned. They are being left on the west beach so why not in the CHILDREN’S park as I tried to explain to the person on police displace last night but she could not care less. As if it should be by job to explain this to the police. Absolutely disgusting and criminal with extreme negligence.
The employment of someone or some people needs to be terminated.
Saw the same thing. Not one parent had their kids near there. This is only the beginning on the west beach expansion to the the main beach area. Are there not enough examples in other municipalities and provinces to know what’s coming?
It’s so insane. It’s ya meant for kids – if kids can’t play there they may as well bulldoze it. Apparently it’s cleared now so they have had a lot of complaints. KEEP CALLING AND EMAILING! They can’t ignore this forever.
Town officials know what is happening out there in other communities. They keep thinking if they negotiate, plead, and ultimately beg that it will stop the expansion and takeover. It wont. Every concession by the Town validates their strategy and emboldens to take over more areas of the Town.
Town Leaders trying the Neville Chamberlain approach. It didnt work in 1939 and it wont work with this group in 2023
We watched CHEX News last night. They covered Cobourg’s Rib Fest. From the video it did not look nearly as busy as it was 9 years ago, when we moved here.
We’ll never go again. Cobourg’s not the same anymore.
I wonder how long it wil be before a vigilanty group of citizens in Cobourg and other similarly troubled towns go into action and do what our paid politicians & police should be doing. Common sense will rule the day perhaps.
Hears is the latest on Cobourg’s useless police force !! Walking tonight on the east beach not to be confused with the west beach becoming know as the syringe beach park. I reported a number of adults camped out in the CHILDREN’s wooden playground next to the splash park. Dispatch had absolutely zero interest in what they could be doing in there and said it is NOT a police issue, I asked are not going to at least check it out given the numerous reported criminal activities taking place on the west beach. I was told flat out NO this is not police business. So there you go next week we will start looking into selling our downtown property and taking our business with us ASAP. Good luck Cobourg !!
Ugh thinking the same. We are thankfully not downtown, but still considering a move. People keep saying “it’s everywhere” – not like this. Even Port Hope is in much better shape. Thinking of there or Newcastle.
Cobourg, Peterborough, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Toronto and others I have missed mentioning all share this problem. Port Hope and Newcastle will not be exempt. Perhaps Newtonville? Under the current Federal Liberal polices expect it to continue spreading further. Best of luck to both of you anyway. In viewing vote counts there are just too many people that just don’t get it and will continue to vote Liberal.
Peterborough is awful. Yes. The otters are not nearly to the extent of Cobourg. We pay a premium to live here because of the beach. I can buy an almost identical house as the one I’m in for 200K less in Port Hope.
Not forget about all the nuclear waste in the ground in Port Hope has something to do with the price difference
Larger Towns can absorb the ugliness. Cobourg had ONE outstanding, Jewel – the Beach. Not anymore.
Fyi – Have you seen how many homes are for sale in Cobourg? And hardly anybody’s buying. And Ford is saying he needs to build more houses. What a Joke.
Action
I would really encourage you to reach out to the Chief on this.
The problem you encountered is that you were speaking to a dispatcher /call screener in Owen Sound. A person who isnt in touch with what is happening in Cobourg.
I would hope the Chief, in light with what is happening on the beaches would say that the police should have attended
Thanks but the Chief knows exactly what is going on in downtown Cobourg. The problem is that from our local politicians, bylaw to the police they are all allowing anyone to camp, do drugs, ect anywhere they want now with biggest slap in the face to residents being the beach tent encampment. This has made these people think they can get away with anything now and they are unfortunately correct.
I think it is beyond emails and blogs/ posts. I believe we need to be one cohesive presence with media. There are over 300 members in a Facebook group that would gratefully support a peaceful counteraction.
What FB group?
Agree. The media needs to come from Toronto as our Leadership are trying to contain this situation (drug use, illegal encampments, by laws not being enforced, Friday night drug show on public property) from getting outside of Cobourg.
This is in addition to local media and Pete Fisher.
An interesting article in today’s Toronto Sun. It states Freeland gave a speech to a graduating class in Boston stating she does not believe Capitalist Democracy can survive and points to China as a great example. P.M. Trudeau also has stated he greatly admires China – just as his father did who visited there while everyone else of his age was enlisted in WWII. I have always been aware of his father’s leanings. Now he admits his leaning to China. The policies of both over the years seem more aimed at destroying Canada – socialist policy – now worker shortage with so many colleting benefits, laws passed in support of these drug addicts, mass immigration without infrastructure preparedness. We can certainly “thank” Trudeau’s policies for the encampment situation of today.
No “Communism” in China since Deng Xiaoping. Just saying. Sad and disturbing that our “leaders” use other countries as an example of who we should be. China is a great example of repression, persecution, imperialism,
broken promises, expansionism, and state capitalism gone crazy.
Eastender – Also why is Trudeau resisting a non-partisan inquiry into China’s interference in the Canadian election processes. He only wants his people to head the inquiry.
if you read all the reports it is the cons led by PeePee that are refusing a comprehensive election enquiry they only want a selective one – why is that? Why has one of the cons election workers in the last election just been indicted on ‘voter suppression’ charges in the USA. Lot more to it that simplistic repitions of mantras.
It is not about Communism Eastender but the destruction of our society through the Trudeau regimes Liberal policies. Makes it easy for another nation to come in and take over. I repeat the joke about the Roman’s conquering. The leader standing there overlooking the defending army of the defenders proclaiming – Veni, Vedi Vici. The invaded army heard it has Weenie, weedy, weakie and turned tail and ran. Our miltary is in sad shape with refusal to build it by the Feds despite being told to do so by NATO and the U.S. Homeless, wandering drug addicts, gangs – all courtesy of weak Liberal laws and their appointed judges. Thank goodness Cobourg seems to have woke up voting reps other than Liberals the last two provincial and federal elections making Liberal supporters a minority in Cobourg.
Oh yeah, Piccini did a bang up job, going to the beach in Cobourg – shaking hands with the self-proclaimed leader of the pack of squatters. Piccini sluffed the whole mess off to the Town by saying Cobourg needs to uphold its By-laws. And where was our Federal Rep, Philip Lawrence? Nowhere, that’s where.
It’s Crown Land! Kick them off!
Kathleen,
I agree with your “kick them off” comment. The trick is who should kick them off.
Whose land are they trespassing on?
It’s unlikely to be “the crown’s” (feds or prov). What evidence do you have to the contrary.
The west beach is not owned by the Town, except for a piece south of the athletic field.
My understanding is that the west beach (except as noted) is privately owned (deeded) and some (all?) may also own “water lots” extending into the lake.
The lot owners should be the ones evicting the “campers” for trespassing.
Hum…Good to know. Thanks Bryan. Let’s they’re all working on it. And when and if they do get their marching orders, we should all go down and applaude like crazy!
More importantly where was the Mayor?
From the deafening silence, I’ll assume the lawyers have tild them to keep quiet. If so, it’s maybe not the best legal advise. A sound bite should at least cime out saying, “Hang On….We’re Working On It”.
Their ruling class lifted hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty, provided jobs and homes. Just saying.
Excellent example of newspeak Mr. Keeler.
For a large price being of the loss of their freedom you overlooked
The young millennials and GenZ are all for socialism (generalizing, of course). Have you heard of “quiet quitting”?
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/398306/quiet-quitting-real.aspx
I mentioned it before. This is the mentality, I have so many friends that teach their children that “they” are Never the problem….it is society. They are special, no one is a winner, etc, etc. Not to send alarms, but this is the reality of these generations being raised. Hence, poor work ethic and woe is me. They do not realize that when wanting to be “dependent” on the state/government , they Lose their autonomy…as Margaret Thatcher put it.
Newbie, they can lose more than their autonomy if taken to extremes. The people in the tents have lost almost everything, homes, family, freedom. Yet some of them claim they are skilled responsible adults. Why is it people from other countries can move here, find a job and a place to live in a matter of days? I connected a recent immigrant to a Cobourg landlord and to a guy willing to drive him to his Port Hope job, until more suitable arrangements were arranged. Family connections helped. A work ethic also helped. Some of the immigrants see conditions much worse in their home country than our tent people have in Cobourg. These immigrants are happy to be here and take jobs entitled Canadians do no want or are “quiet quitting.” How can I recommend any of the people “living” on the beach to a landlord or employer?
Did you actually watch the video?
I just watched it, and Freeland asks whether capitalist democracy still works as a rhetorical device at the start of her speech to then back up the ways in which it is working and why we have to fight for it.
The fact that Lorrie Goldstein and the Toronto Sun took the one soundbite and twisted it into the exact opposite to write an attack article is a despicable ethical violation for a news organization. Don’t spread misinformation Dave.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XJrbTryFe0U&ab_channel=Northeastern.Its
No one is spreading misinformation. That is how I view it. Growing up there were opportunities. Opportunities to purchase a home, there were no encampments or wandering drug addicts and so many claiming disability nor raising children on government handouts. They worked for what they got. Today jobs go unfilled as to many are sucking at the public teet instead of out working. The despicable violation you speak of belongs to the Liberals – their scandals and cover ups and bribing of the populace. Have a nice day!
Dave and John, see https://www.gallup.com/workplace/398306/quiet-quitting-real.aspx
The study is by a reputable, US based, organization and I have no reason to believe that Canada is significantly different. If true it doesn’t bode well for increases in productivity and making us all better off in the future.
Thanks Ken. However I saw this pre-pandemic working for a commercial trucking company. My wife saw it in the multiple contract positions she held. Total job apathy. One good thing we both secured employment based on proved work ethic, ability to perform.
Too many negative factors in the hiring process that have nothing to do with with ensuring your employer survives by a doing your job well. But there is still opportunity for those that don’t want to just sit back and watch the clock. We can both attest to the deterioration in the work force.
Is this the drug bust that the Police Chief in his annual report and Washburn interview said prevented 2200 drug overdoses?
https://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2023/08/20/update-charges-withdrawn-in-opp-and-cobourg-police-drug-investigations/
I hope not. Sounds like they got nothing.
sounds like the drug bust was successful not so the paperwork it was based on. “EVIDENCE is needed”… .. a comment repeated many times by the Chief.
Ben, are you suggesting that the warrant for the bust was not based on evidence? Possession of large quantities of illegal drugs is not evidence? Please clarify your reasoning.
I am suggesting that the evidence for the bust may have been a routine traffic stop or a house visit based on a warrant however as you know Ken the reasons for believing that drugs may or may not be in the house are completely different to the evidence needed to directly link the “stash” to the people named in the charges. They could easily claim that Santa Claus dropped it (the stash) down the chimney or the ‘stash’ was in an area not occupied by the people named in the charges. Or most commonly the Prosecutors believed, after examination of the evidence, that the charges would not stick – not a Police problem!
Thanks for the Santa laugh, Ben! I probably watch too much TV but I suspect that most jurors would consider that beyond a reasonable doubt a large “stash” would have been put there by the owner/tenant unless there were believable evidence to the contrary.
I doubt it Ken there are too many pedants and literalists that would want a better chain of evidence than just a big stash in an accused person’s house, it only takes one on a jury!
There is all sorts of ‘whataboutisms’ going on. The fact of the matter is that neither 2B$ nor 20B$ will fix this awful situation. There is no, nada plan that is totally bought into by the Feds, the Prov, the Munis and the Towns. Without a plan, you can’t cost anything reliably. The work needs to go into getting this sorted. Some previous comments IMO are correct, it will get worse before it gets better; also IMO band-aide approaches will only make things worse. So Piccini has to collar his bud BullyFord and the Fed rep Lawrence to get to work and start leading.
Gerinator it sounds like your Buying Time here for the local Politicians
and the County by flipping over to the Province
and just how long do you think it will take Piccini to get this done .
6 months may be . if we are lucky This is like saying they will move when the snow comes .
No this is a Truly local problem that has been ignored , Lots of Talk when our Council was Campaigning but still No Action from anyone since they got their 1 st pay cheque , now they are in Hiding with not a comment .
Sandpiper, agreed somewhat i.e. Local problem. Unfortunately IMO the solution cannot be solely a local solution it must come from the Feds thru to the Local. Without a recognized leader in this regard each of the locals will be performing their own version, costing far more as individual communities and potentially suffering from the lack of effort by other communities who don’t care or are sloppy about their solution.
I re-read Mr Fisher’s article in Todays Northumberland and I also watch the Video
a few more time Then it dawned on Me that the Tall fellow that was speaking up for the Homeless
lets just call him Chris –N was a tenant of my neighbours approx 10 yrs ago he was 30 something at that time he had a great job in the Trades I believe with a Union group
He suggested that all these people were willing to work . Well from what I understand
is that you can’t hold a job if you don’t show up to it . Drugs were not the problem with Chris
whats that LLLL word .
These people Can all have jobs if they wanted but you have to do the job when you show up
to it ?? on time and stay for the shift .
AND— no you can’t be the manager Right now the Fruit & Veg farmers are looking for Pickers
in the orchards I asked 2 of them at the Farmers market today they have to hire from outside the area as no one has applied locally . Why ??
May be 1 of those busses the Town owns that we never see could take them to the job sites and back Better yet some of the Farmers well allow Camping and or have Bunk Houses with all the facilities . You know Like Car / Van Pooling to GM back in the day .
How about it Where is Pete Fisher the Mayor or Puccini on this topic .
LLL Loyal Legion of Loggers & Lumbermen (est. 1917; union)
LLL Leche League Leader
LLL low-level laser light
LLL Learning with Logics and Logics for Learning (workshop)
LLL Love Life Live Long
What is your LLL meaning, please.
LLLLazy
How is it that if I who own a home in Cobourg, pay taxes but dare to open a beer on the beach while with my family during the day will be swooped upon by police/bylaw and fined. (P.s I don’t drink on the beach or ever have) yet on any given day I see people shooting up hard drugs. I have also seen the cops drive right by them. Make it make sense. If the cops don’t know where to look I or anyone else that walks in this town can show them.
Lets be honest what we have here in the mayor and DM and the individuals in the encampment is the front end of the generation that went thru school and life and never being told “NO!”
•No, you cant do illicit drugs!
•No, you cant camp illegally on a beach in contravention of Town By-laws
•No, you cant urinate or defecate in Public or on Public Beaches
•No, you cant expect other people to feed, cloth and shelter you when YOU decide not to work
•No, you cant sleep your way thru life
To our Town Leaders:
•No you cant this this expect this “voluntary resolve itself”
•No you cant pass the buck to someone
else, group or Agency
•No, were working on this is not good enough
And finally No- You will have to tell them this will end and no is not an option from the group
I was just on my way from Port Hope to Cobourg. On the road side walking towards Cobourg was a person with a shopping cart full of belongings, his dog and a sign that read Homeless; with his and the dog’s name.
Mayor Cleveland, Council Members, and Police Chief – wake up PLEASE!!. You are not just providing an illegal encampment for those kicked out of the Cobourg rooming house – you are extending an invitation to anyone to come into Cobourg from anywhere where you can break the law. What are you thinking?
Put a stop to this insanity please!
To be fair, that guy is traveling across Canada to raise awareness on the homeless situation nationally. He will probably stop in Cobourg for at least one night and maybe even visit our tent city, but I’m sure he will be on his way soon.
https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/man-walking-across-canada-for-homeless-people-who-have-pets-7077909
He actually is crossing Canada to make people aware of homelessness and the fact that no shelters will take you if you have a pet.
Suggest you check out “ Homeless James and Muckwah “ on Facebook. …… do not put him in the same boat as those at the western Beach. Do not paint him with the same brush. James has a mission and purpose and not like the folks that you mentioned. Check out the interview that he had with Pete Fisher. You will find him welcomed at a home in Cobourg.
Agreed. There are homeless that desperately need help due to lack of affordable housing/cost of living. He seems like a stand up citizen trying to make a difference and I wish him well – and hope there are programs out there to help him find suitable housing. The people on the beach are drug addicts/criminals. Not the same. If it was people like James and law abiding citizens down on the beach that were just genuinely down on their luck with nowhere else to go, I don’t think it would be as much of a concern. The concern doesn’t lie with people camping there, it’s the crime, drugs, theft, needles, gunshots, drunkenness, nakedness, etc etc. Housing affordability and criminal activity are 2 different issues that need 2 different solutions. Good luck James, welcome to Cobourg!
This entire council – Mayor and DM need to resign effective immediately. We are taxpayers pay such high taxes – and for what? I usually justify it because of the beach. But what’s the point? I pay over $6,000 a year for a very basic house. This is way higher than other towns/areas. We couldn’t use our beach for 3 years during Covid – these clowns voted to put a massive fence around it. We got one good year out of it, and now this????? Completely out of control. We should not be paying property taxes until all 7 members resign.
The town’s officials are failing all tax paying residents !!
There is the Office of the Independent Police Directorate (OIPRD):
The OIPRD accepts complaints about the conduct of officers and the policies or services of a police service.
-Conduct: How a police officer behaves.
-Policies: The rules and standards that guide an officer in delivering police services.
-Services: How effectively and efficiently a particular police service performs its duties.
Interesting to hear what OIPRD would say about CPS –SERVICES in light of the the complaints of open air drug use and all that comes with it- shootings, used and loaded syringes,
I truly believe that a sharp lawyer could go back into court and argue the Waterloo decision by arguing the camp had to be shut down because it was a health and safety issue- shooting, drug use, syringes being found by members of the community. Then argue the strain and cost being imposed on paramedics, police , fire that impacts their ability to provide services to the rest of community due to the high needs and demands of this group.
Have you all heard the latest and greatest on our new Cobourg beach & syringe park permitted to remain in place by the Town of Cobourg !!
When I was walking today with my wife we ran into another Cobourg resident. He started by asking us if we have pitched our tent yet on what was referred to in the past as the Cobourg West Beach and Park. I told him not yet and he then showed me a photo taken this morning of a syringe in plain view on the beach. We were shocked until he proceeded to tell me what happened a couple of days ago involving his dog and this is when the story gets real fun. He said his dog went into a bush next to the beach and came out with fully loaded syringe in his dogs mouth. Is this not just the best place ever to live, run a business or raise a family and walk your dog !!
Yep – my kids and I ride our bikes down fairly frequently. Week before last (before the tents) it was wonderful as usual. We went down this week (right after the shooting but we’re unaware it had happened yet) and there were people doing heroin right at the entrance to the boardwalk while I had my kids in tow. Also a lady in her underwear walking around. I have not gone down since, nor will I ever allow my kids to step foot on the boardwalk again. I’ve heard multiple people pulled their kids out of the canoe camp. I appreciate you letting us know what happened- I know I made the right decision in no longer allowed my kids to go near there. So so scary to think what could happen to a child or a senior. I’m genuinely afraid.
Nobody cares what you think or about your kids. Isn’t this how we all feel? Sorry you had to witness this. We had a similar experience. 2 men and one woman sitting on the bench in the ecology garden taking turns with a needle.
Yes and I keep hearing these drug addicts are our “most vulnerable” – What?!?!?! Aren’t children, seniors and the disabled our most vulnerable? Until we stop using that kind of language to describe people that are threatening others, breaking the laws, causing harm to others and don’t want to live in a society where everyone looks out for each other but also follows the basic rule of law, nothing will change. Also – have these people ever looked at what happens in a non- westernized country when you don’t want to work/take personal responsibility? There’s No government to fall back on. These guys should feel lucky they live in Canada I guess?!?!
And all being permitted to continue by our Town elected officials and police. Disgusting and criminal to say the least.
What you allow will continue
How and what can we do though? A few have suggested withholding property tax. I’m sure they are inundated with emails and phone calls. What other the other options? Moving possibly?
Unless there are multiple and very large delegations presenting to Council their frustration and anger, nothing will change. As I read the upcoming Agenda there are zero delegations regarding the “encampments”, the drugs, the crime and our disinterested Council.
Rebel News made a video about this.
The Rebel News Reporter is none other than one of the organizers of Cobourg’s Covid-19 Saturday Protesters- dialogues, marches, chants…
https://youtu.be/o7AAsUCbp3w
We just have to hold on and hope that “nothing else” of a violent/life threatening issue arises with the encampment. Mother Nature will take care of the rest. There is NO WAY this encampment can remain once the temperature drops to freezing. I would imagine (having not been there personally to actually “see” them) that the tents are not made to withstand Canada’s winters. Hopefully then the “campers” will accept the help that’s being offered by the province/county/town and get their acts together— maybe even get a job…
They will end up where they always do.. in my building lobby. Pillow blankets and drugs all over the floor
Then usher them out of town, they are trespassing.
Trespassing etc. is against the law. If they were charged and found guilty put them in prison. They would have access to programs and mental health services. Three meals a day and medical assistance. Not the best solution I agree but someone has to figure this out before it gets out of control. Instead of enabling these people and walking over them in Bank foyers at 7am, do something!
Great comments but where is the County ….. where is the Warden and other members as it relates to homelessness ….. all our MPP can say over and over …. “ enforce the bylaws ….. “ maybe Port Hope beach can accommodate a few of the tents, Colborne and Campbellford can also help out …. This is more than a town issue …. What would you expect when you displace folks from a few homes in town … if you open up the old Brookside to accommodate then as they say “ build it and they will come” ….
Then they can trash Brookside, just like where they came from. ” Build it and they will come?”
Every homeless person will join the Brookside encampment. They will come from all over to have a nice FREE roof over their heads. Lock them up and get them the help they need.
They’ll get 3 square meals a day and all the medical help they need.
They’re asking for trouble at Brookside – right by 3 schools. Ya smart – will they wait for a child to get shot or step on a needle, or a high school girl to get raped while walking to school? Even then probably crickets. Brookside does belong to the province and Piccini and Ford will not go for that. Let Ford’s friends develop it for all I care. If they’re allowed to take over Brookside we’re all going to wish we still had a jail there.
This is how it all started in Victoria, BC….I lived there and watched our bleeding heart council led by Mayor Helps allow it to happen. Finally the campers took over the downtown area ruining it for residents and business.
Drug addicts have no respect even if you house them. During the pandemic they were housed in hotels where they set fires and demolished the place.
It was so bad and unsafe for nearby condos on Gorge Road that a high gated fence was installed. The Provincial Government reimbursed the strata but that is still tax payer’s money. Please Cobourg Council, get rid of the encampment now before Cobourg is a lost cause.
It’s taken just nine short months for Mayor Cleveland and DM Beatty to bring Cobourg into a mess that looks like it will get worse given the weak responses, questionable decisions and the latest non committal response on resolution.
The Mayor and DM are the two primary leaders, so must take responsibility and do the right thing – resign their positions – effective immediately. Residents can’t wait until October 2026 to vote them out. They are in my view in over their heads and unqualified to deal with issues beyond bandshell shots and sunny days in Cobourg.
The remaining five council members need to stand up to the “take no action” Police Chief and initiate an OPP review to take over Cobourg policing.
I wouldn’t lump the Mayor and the DM together on the Tent issue – or many issues for that matter. If you’ve ever watched a Council meeting, they tend to vote opposite to each other.
We need a Council that works cohesively on the interests of the Majority of the taxpayers.
Kathleen – “We need a Council that works cohesively on the interests of the Majority of the taxpayers.”
I certainly agree with your statement. However the Mayor – the top person of Council is not providing any leadership, is totally absent on the drug addict situation and not in viewing the comments here acting on the interests of the Majority of the taxpayers/citizens of Cobourg. David Piccini has tried to provide direction but still he does not act. You have made several comments in favour of this absent mayor and I wonder why you feel any need to offer him your support?
One additional Kathleen. I believe the Council requires discussion of all issues and counter opinions are very healthy. In the end the vote will determine which direction the majority vote for after examining all aspects.
As far as the mayor goes and his past service record here Ground control to Commander Tom comes to mind.
Yes, he’s the Mayor. He’s not a Dictator. Council has 7 votes. He’s only 1. Majority rules. He cannot act alone. What exactly do you think he is he supposed to say or do when the majority of Council voted to give the Tenters a pass and ignore our by-laws?
Provide leadership as he so strongly promised prior to election. Can you provide the vote count on that motion Kathleen? – for all we know he voted with the others and the disscenting vote was someone else. He obviously either way is not a leader.
I am unaware of which council meeting this vote, never been reported, took place Kathleen. Could provide a link to the motion and outline of the matter in the agenda this would be very helpful.
It was a closed session that happened last Monday. Maybe JD can fill you in.
Kathleen – Closed Session. Means inaccessible, not able to view. Hmm!
I expect him and the other membrs of both Town and County council to be leaders. Communicate a plan, provide updates and respond to our concerns! Is that to much to ask of the politicians????
If there are going to be encampments (and there will) they need to be set up in an orderly manner with supports in a safe area. Cobourg prides itself on its harbour and beach. If I came from out of town and saw the encampments I would do an immediate turnaround and leave. Di my young kids need to be exposed to this at age 5. No! Safety? Yes! Many people use to walk down to the water on the nature reserve spit. It is now unsafe to do so for needles are everywhere on the ground, now shots have been fired and drug deals are ongoing. The Town and County needs to establish a safe encampment site now, with police or security monitoring where support staff can go and where a new encampment person feels safe from violence. Choose a park, Brookside, Old West High School field or an area that can be closely monitored and is not in the “face” of tourists and Cobourg taxpayers. I just want to walk my dog and enjoy the view, not fear that I will step on a needle or upset anyone there on my daily walk. A friend was recently walking her dog down towards the west boardwalk and a neighbour told her you can’t go down there. “There is a man with a machete.” Where are we living? This is where a police presence is mandated to move the encampments out asap to an organized encampment away from the waterfront and downtown before it gets worse. No one wants to come downtown Cobourg anymore and see homeless people everywhere. The Town has to get a plan in place. It is your responsibility Mayor. Let’s get some action on this now!! I am not saying out of sight, out of mind at all, but how much longer does this situation need to persist before any action is done by our Town Leaders and Police?
In Order to get a Voluntary Resolution I guess we need the Mayor , Nichole Beatty with all her
self proclaimed Social Interests and the County officials to get down there and start their Voluntary Process because its not going to Happen all by it self .
And what the heck is Voluntary Resolution ?? in the eyes of our County & Town Officials .
may be they could volunteer to respond to all those E mails or return the publics phone calls
on those 24 X7 Cell phones we provide them with . to Explain this process .
Gee, will Monday’s meeting also be a Closed Door session where the Public has no idea how Councillor’s vote on the encampment issue????
Can we have a Do Over on our last Municipal Election?
Perhaps it’s time to interview the OPP and get their offer of police services for Cobourg.
Going OPP would do nothing. They are bound by higher ups as well.
It would save Cobourg & Port Hope a heck of a lot of money to go with OPP. Over half a million for just the 2 Chiefs salaries alone.
Addiction Specialist says safe injection sites/programs—“… that while treatment for addictions can be uncomfortable and painful at times, they save lives and that should be the focus of organizations dealing with addicts, not just keeping them addicted. Dr. Koivu said the entire reason for bringing safe injection sites into being was to help guide people towards treatment,”
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/addictions-specialist-calls-on-ford-to-clean-house-at-srchc
This is why Town Council and Police need to question and challenge groups like Tweak Easy, and homeless drug encampments.
South Riverdale Community Health Centre stated philosophy:
It is a philosophy about being simply respectful of and to people who use drugs. No judgement, no expectations and no desire for people to stop using drugs,” the SRCHC states
Dr. Koivu said, “With this policy, South Riverdale Community Health Centre is not working to improve lives,” .They are promoting a dependency on a service that should be meant to help them.”
This is the same philosophy that Tweak Easy appears to adhere to, as well.
The Town and Police allowing homeless drug encampments to exist on the beach; allowing unsanctioned drug injection sites, reflects the SRCHC non judgemental philosophy which contributes to a persons continued dependency.
I can only assume that behind closed doors. Council has decided that the best action is no action at all and under no circumstances will anyone make a statement. It’s time that council reached down to grab a set and look after 99 % of the population. David Pacini must have said 7 or 8 times that bylaws must be enforced. I think you have the green light! The worse decision is the inability to make one!
It’s disheartening when politicians seem to waver on their decisions and leave the public feeling uncertain about their true intentions. It’s important for politicians to stand behind their decisions. Building a strong and honest relationship between politicians and the public is crucial for a thriving democracy. We have councillors who have manipulated the public into believing they do not support encampments yet vote in favour of them every chance they get. Having had them come round my neighborhood on the campaign trail I would have sworn that none of them supported encampments.
Nicole Beatty is a Councillor and also our elected representative on the Police Services Board so I contacted her for information on what was being doing about the encampment situation. I received the following reply:
So our elected representative relies on an unelected PSB member to front for them. I wrongly assumed that members of Council have an obligation to respond to constituent enquires.
Nicole , we asking you as an elected official for your comments on this issue …..do you have anything to say????
Very disappointing! Based on their lack of response to this issue, I definitely regret voting for Nicole Beatty and Lucas Cleveland.
As do I. 2026 can’t come fast enough!!
A mayor with no prior experience whose resume reflects he held a position in drilling. A deputy mayor who in her last term wished to have a tiny home village built and desire to join the Liberal Party. Whether it is provincial or federal it all adds up to the same values.
Has anyone ever fact checked the mayor’s claims of his past experience? Was he just a side driller on that huge project he claimed to be in charge of?
Frenchy – on a prior blog others bloggers reviewed his resume going over it with a fine tooth comb, after annoucing he was a driller investigating for oil?deposits. Additionally it was revealed he had met his partner in Montreal working in the hotel or food service industry. At no time did anyone uncover him being in charge of any large project nor did he appear on the Blog outling that experience. Now is his opportunity to do so!
Meaningless platitudes offered at the end of day on Friday before burying their heads in the sand for the weekend
They clearly had no choice but to release a statement and demonstrate some action – I have to believe that Piccini’s office had something to do with it, especially in light of the fact that he was the first and only political leader to visit the encampment publicly. While our Mayor is happy to pose for pictures and post videos on social media when the topics are rosy, he remains out of sight and silent on the issue that may very likely define his mayoralship. They are not in control of the message right now and taxpayers are growing increasingly frustrated and angry.
Some interesting and deliberate choices of words in the release: “voluntary resolution” (if we say pretty please will you leave?) “working towards by-law compliance” (next parking ticket you get, let them know you’re working towards parking compliance) “tenting” (an attempt to make this sound like is a family-friendly and legal camp out)
Taxpayer dollars are now providing garbage pickup and portable toilets – sans bag tags.
Re: update from the county and the town. How is the “voluntary resolution “ of the illegal encampment going? How many squatters have moved out, to where, what social services have they accepted ( other than money)? In other words what’s the success rate in 6 days? Is there an end date for voluntary resolution? What if the squatters love Cobourg’s free west beach so much no one leaves?
I believe County and Town are in containment mode and hoping fall’s approach and dropping temperatures will be the catalyse to move them.off the beach
Who would rent to this couple from Division St. Knowing now that they had umpteen people flopping there and the house was trashed. That house was up for sale before the evictions, where were they going to go?
One bathroom for 20 people. People dropping a deuce down the trap door into the basement.
Disgusting.
Is this really what got them kicked out/place condemned? So they’re not really victims- they made really bad choices. Who keeps telling them they are the victims? You can do things like this and then blame other people and play the victim when it doesn’t turn out. I hope they receive the help they need – but this means getting off the drugs – or they’re just going to do this at their next place.
Not sure exactly what happened at the Division St. address. I have heard of tenants providing a place for homeless to sleep, for a fee. Too many people in a housing unit violates by-laws and/or fire codes. In the interviews with Pete Fisher there are statements from the tent people about helping others and being responsible. Responsible tenants treat their home with respect, report problems to landlords and do not violate laws. When they do they can keep living in their homes. Wally’s long-haired freaky people showed respect by cleaning up their camp fire. One of the people interviewed stated all the people at the encampment are capable of paying rent. If that is true then they have decided not to be responsible. Maybe because of drug addiction.
There is full agreement Sandy, Informed, Sam and Kevin. The reality is that these people will not be able to return to their previous places of residency.
At this point, I am feeling a little embarrassed for the municipal staff and elected officials across the town and the county. I truly felt that SOME of those we elected would be able to understand that when their community is in crisis, they would be able to communicate with the constituency.
True leaders step to the forefront in time of need and speak to the electorate, providing updates and hope to all citizens within their communities. Even if the news is not always good.
We implore you to communicate with us. Your silence and lack of communication is inexcusable .
If we didn’t have this blog , Facebook, or Pete Fisher, we wouldn’t have any information.
The community is frustrated , fearful, and worried……and you have nothing to say!
Cobourg’s representative on County is Lucas Cleveland. On Town Council – top position – Lucas Cleveland. Car 54 where are you?
Perhaps large numbers of residents should attend the Police Services Board meeting on Tuesday, August 29, starting at 9:00 a.m. at 739 D’Arcy Street (Venture 13).
If you cannot attend, ask Councillors Beatty and Bureau (our elected representatives who sit on the Police Services Board) to question why nothing had been done about the ongoing criminal acts and report the explanations back to you.
If you want to speak at the meeting see https://cobourgpoliceservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Delegation-handout-June-2022.pdf for the rules.
I’ve been trying to look at the agenda on escribe with no luck. If these meetings are like county meetings one can only make a delegation on a topic that is on the agenda. I would like to see the agenda either way. Would anyone have a link?
The Agenda is required to be issued today – but today is not yet over. Try later this evening. See also the update to the post – is it a response to this post or just lucky timing?
John, I believe that Cobourg Taxpayer is asking about the Police Services Board agenda rather than Cobourg Council’s agenda.
I have no idea where to find the PSB agenda. Does anyone?
The Police board meetings are also listed on escribe (same link) and sometime before the meeting the Agenda is posted. I don’t know what their target advance notice period is.
At the moment the Municipal calendar does not list the police board meeting occurring on August 29, it is still listed as occurring on August 15. Despite clicking on a link for escribe and agendas there is no agenda for the police board meeting. I’ll keep checking though.
If I read correctly the deadline to request a delegation was 5pm Wednesday prior to the meeting. No agenda to be found.
It was 1967, Summer of Love, and Cobourg was apoplectic about hippies sleeping in Victoria Park. Hippies: dirty, filthy, long-haired freaky people, etc etc. Foster Russell, publisher/editor of the Cobourg Sentinel Star wrote an article about it. On a summer evening he spotted four hippies sitting around a small campfire on the beach. He returned the following morning and the hippies had left, but he noted in his article that the hippies had not left a trace of their presence on the beach and had stashed the burnt wood, soaked with lake water, in a trash bin.
But that did not sooth the good people of Cobourg because hippies were dirty, filthy, long-haired freaky people. Lenah Fisher, Cobourg’s first suffragette, and Deputy-Reeve at the time, spoke to Town Council about the homeless crashing in Victoria Park during the Depression, using it as a stopover, while looking for work. I don’t recall her saying anything about how the Townspeople regarded this situation at that time.
She went on to describe how the Irish arrived in the 1800’s sick and feeble. They were quarantined on Victoria Park Beach until they were healthy and able to continue on to Peterborough and region. A few stayed in the Corktown neighbourhood of Cobourg.
So a dope dealer visited the current encampment in the armpit of the west pier and shoreline. The dope dealer fired a shot to intimidate and threaten the ‘residents’ of the encampment. At a bare minimum, those residents have a right to a safe and secure environment — and they do because the Cobourg police continues its investigation to bring the shooter to justice.
Of course there are Porta-potties — would you prefer that they defecate in the bushes or elsewhere in that meadow that spreads out behind them? The situation obligates that Porta-Potties be installed just as they are when situations of crowds in parks for events are served with Porta-Potties. The waste bin is provided to mitigate garbage flowing down the beach and into the meadow.
I prefer that my taxes be spent preventing squalor and disease from spreading. It’s Hooverville 2.0 all over again. And all you whiney taxpayers should take notice of your own stupidity of financing 2 Billion Canadian dollars to Ukraine for a corrupt regime that is foolishly destroying Ukraine. You stupid sheep — that 2 billion should been used to capitalize the construction of rehab dormitories in all our communities. This housing crisis is going to get worse, much worse, and that 2 billion, earned by Canadians should have been spent on Canadian construction instead of foreign destruction. It was obvious from the beginning that Ukraine would end up on the losing side of this war, yet our ruling class (Libs, NDP, Cons) invested and got ZERO return. What a stupid people we are!
I wondered how long it was going to take for you to bring the commies invading Ukraine into this thread.
You do seem to like those commies now rather than during your 007 days brazenly dashing in and out of those eastern block countries, smuggling, what was it… haszmarat?
By the way, I lost $5.00 betting on the under.
Encampments do not work due to enabling harmful behaviors, safety concerns, social isolation from healthy influences, and the absence of long-term solutions. It is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes treatment, support services, and addressing the root causes of addiction. The resources are available, housing is not the problem, and we should not be enabling people. We should want better for people than a life of addiction and awful living conditions, this means getting off the drugs first and foremost.
I quite agree that it is “crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes treatment, support services…”
This current social situation is going to get worse, much worse, whether we like it or not. It is a serious health problem, not just for the addicted individuals, but all of society if the problem is not addressed because it will spread squalor and violence. A comprehensive approach, rather than the short-sighted, ineffective call to move them on, anywhere, but not here.
There will be no quick fix. This cannot be a five-year program project. This situation is long term and requires rehab centres. The rehab centres can be similar to student residences — small room, with a window, chair, table, bed, microwave, small fridge. If rehab centres already exist, then they need to be expanded.
Mixed into this mess are the homeless that fell into poverty through no fault of their own. These people develop despair over their situation and many will use drugs to cope with the otherwise unbearable situation of being homeless. There are jobs, but does shipping and receiving pay well enough for a house or apartment? Can the individuals who work as cashiers or retail earn enough to pay for an apartment? Prices are increasing on everything and they will continue to increase, so the treadmill is short term, then homeless.
A student residence, like on campus, austere, Tiny homes are too expensive compared to a student residence building. Tiny homes are inefficient energy-wise compared to a student residence style structure.
Of course such a solution costs money. $2,000,000,000 would have been helpful to mitigate this developing lethal situation of dope addiction and squalor. But then again, we got ‘better’ things to do with our $2,000,000,000 than to build affordable housing in Canada.
It’s a new world. Get over your Hippie days as they are no longer relevant. Putin is todays Hitler and we all know what happened when Hitler was was left unchallenged.
Are people withholding their property taxes due at the end of the month? Curious if there are any lawyers in this group that can inform of the implications other than penalties (I’m willing to accept a penalty). We, as tax payers are paying councils salary as well as for drug users who refuse to work to camp out on prime real estate. Our only option may be to just refuse to continue to fund this.
With a complete lack of confidence in our Town Council, Chief of Police and all County officials who are doing absolutely nothing to correct what clearly is an out of control mess. Resignations and accountability should be what is required.
Useless bunch of public servants that cost the taxpayer millions of dollars. I have never been so disgusted with this bunch as I am now.
For those that want solutions, these campers illegally occupying public land need to explain what they are all doing to earn a living so they can support themselves like the rest of us do.
I would imagine that the fired shot was because someone owed the drug dealers money. That was a warning shot.
Drug dealers don’t shoot people because they won’t buy drugs from them. Lol
Exactly. I am fairly certain I saw the 3 men that day. I posted in the last post. I reported it to police, for them to check cctv cameras. When I saw them, I did a double take and had a feeling of dread over me. They definitely looked out of place…at that moment I thought about the Jamaican Patty house. I know their was drugs going in and out of there, 100%. Couple hrs after got home I found out about shooting (which was just 2 hrs after I saw them). Broad daylight. North side of king, east of division. So brazen and bold. Scary, scary times.
I saw on another site that that black car is at the old arena once a week.
Of course someone owed the dealers drug money at that encampment. That’s what you get when you have encampments and injection sites like at Henleys arcade. Wake up Cobourg! This is going to happen again no doubt. They will be back or others will come. I just hope that an incident victim doesn’t get shot next time like the young innocent woman at the Toronto injection site just walking by.
Please look at the sign they had in their window. Pick up dirty needles and you get free chocolate.
Also one of the workers of the injection site has been charged relating to that murder and giving out free drugs.
Is this what we want for Cobourg?
There’s a huge public safety issue here. Has anyone even gone to look at the injection site at Henleys arcade. Drug addicts doing drugs blocking the entrance! Every Friday night from 7 to 10. Watch your kids.
Sonya- I drove by Henleys a couple weeks ago. About 30 people. Lawn chairs, completely blocking the alley. All under the guise of a pizza party. Have googled: Tweak Easy on go fund me page? I tried for months to get it shut down. I cannot believe it is still up. Missy McLean is running it…she proclaims it is all about defiance. Last year the ptbo TweakEasy site got taken down https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news/peterborough-region/peterborough-tweak-easy-gofundme-shut-down/article_9d7835a4-8dc9-54ae-9624-445e98caaa75.html?
This is where $ is coming from and GWC.
TweakEasy CBG site:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/stayin-alive-in-the-905
“As far as where we stand with laws and by-laws, the Town’s municipal clerk advised us that if we are protesting then we are not in violation of trespassing by-laws while set-up on municipal property. “
Its gotten to the point that I think you’ll see the town of Cobourg protesting Friday night 7 until 10 at Henleys arcade.
Who is liable if someone gets hurt walking through Henleys? The town? There goes my taxes up again.
I would certainly partake in that protest. When I went by, I could not even walk through there. It has completely been taken over. People have not only been encouraged to play the victim card…but emboldened. A large voice/ presence needs to be formed; in order for the 99% to be loudly heard.
Wow!
The municipal clerk condones/enables TweakEasy CBG’s “protest strategy” to operate an Injection Site?!
More people obviously need to be directing their complaints to By-Law Enforcement where numbers do count, rather than to writing them on this blog.
I think it is beyond emails and blogs/ posts. I believe we need to be one cohesive presence with media. There are over 300 members in a Facebook group that would gratefully support a peaceful counteraction.
I would also take part in any such protest.
I find this to be quite alarming that the Town of Cobourg is openly providing “work arounds” for the drug movement to find ways around the laws set. This is dismal display of insult of the worst kind to the residents of Cobourg.
Right? I agree. Click on the go fund me link, I provided for above for tweakeasy cbg. It is all there. I don’t know why the site has no been cancelled, same as pbo? Illegal, Unsanctioned injection site.
These ideologies are dangerous. They do not benefit the addicted, nor society at large. They promote anarchy and have some council members ears. I do not believe our mayor, Ms. Mutton or Mr. Barber are on board. But what do I know?
I have a greater concern about the wasted billions, than the millions.
It seems many people wants these emcampment gone, but so far I see no practical solutions being proposed. The fact is there almost no low income rental units, even rooming houses, available. The homeless problem is not confined to Cobourg; it has been growling in many communities. And what is OPP doing to go after the drug dealers who fly into town, deal and fly out again, usually to a bigger city. And incidently, was Piccini serious when he mentioned in his statement at the shooting site, that his government was building 1.5 m affordable houses as a possible solution?
He was serious about the number of houses to be built, yet not about the “affordable” type of houses.
The lack of affordable housing/high cost of living issue is not the same thing as the drug addiction/criminal issue. So many good, law abiding citizens in this town working hard at minimum wage jobs, unable to get housing. There was a senior gentleman in front of the Walmart the other day that is homeless and needing help. The people at the encampment are drug addicts and criminals that need jail or rehab. Providing housing to them won’t change anything. When they were housed on division they were still wandering the street committing the same crimes they are now, leaving needles, etc. Housing them will only take away precious resources from those who need them desperately.
I agree Catherine. The”leader” of the encampment said in video to Piccini that they can all pay rent. If so, why not pool your money together and rent a house or 2? Totally feasible—if you were responsible and did not play the victim card. It is the drug induced behaviours that cause the poblems.
Unfortunately groups like Green Wood Coalition have encouraged them to play the victim card, and made them believe there’s nothing wrong with their lifestyle, and we are the problem for not liking it. The “in your face” attitude from GWC has really driven a wedge in this community. It’s also why so many were against the cabins. If cabins were going to be run by a group other than GWC, tweakeasy or Missy McLean they might have provided a temporary solution.
The cabins would have been worse in the long run because the tents would have been there as well. There needs to be a distinction between homeless people and drug addicts that steal and bring drug dealers them.
Absolutely I 100% agree. Homelessness/lack of affordable housing and drug addiction are not the same issue. There are many in this community that find themselves in difficult situations but are not drug addicts and not committing crimes. Let’s get more resources to them. These are also the ones that would have benefited from cabins in the short term (and if an organization that didn’t promote drug use was running them it would be better). The drug addicts/criminals need rehab or jail. Even if they were given free housing it wouldn’t make a difference, they would continue to commit crimes no matter where they are.