Will Police Heed the Plea?

At least one business in Cobourg is concerned about “a heightened public perception of compromised safety and security in Downtown Cobourg, especially after dark”. Ken Prue, of Loft Productions, has emailed the Mayor and the Police Chief with concerns that his patrons will not feel safe at night – especially when leaving shows at Victoria Hall.  Will this be the beginning of the end of a vibrant downtown Cobourg?  Ken says: “The current controversy over the issue of un-sanctioned overdose prevention sites (OPS) has become a sensitive issue and members of the public are speaking out against what is perceived as a ‘laissez faire’ attitude by Council and Police that is creating public risk.”  It is certainly getting a lot of attention on my blog and in emails to Council and the Police.

Here is the rest of Ken’s email:

I operate a business, the success of which hinges on my ability to persuade people to leave their homes to attend evening music events at Victoria Hall. My shows finish after 9:15 pm and upwards of 200 people exit into the night and the dark parking lots that service Victoria Hall. Northumberland Players operates in a similar environment (Firehall Theatre) as do all other presenters who stage evening entertainment events at Victoria Hall.

Members of my customer base have expressed concern.

As a short-term preventive measure while the OPS issue is being debated I request that a visible police presence be mounted in and near those parking lots that service the Concert Hall and that the police presence be most visible when shows and plays are ‘spilling’ from the theatres. The dates and times can be provided by Experience Cobourg Management.

When I stage an event at the Concert Hall I am required to hire a Private Security Firm to preside over the duration of my event in the lobby of Victoria Hall. I believe that Cobourg Police Service should concentrate a visible presence in the public areas around the Concert Hall when the public is most vulnerable as a part of their policing strategy.

It seems to me that the Police are saying they care about our safety but can do nothing.  Hopefully my interpretation is wrong.  Hopefully they will as a minimum increase their presence at night per Ken’s request.  It’s sad that it has come to this.

Will Police heed the plea to “do something”?

Resources

Addition – 23 March 

Town has issued a notice of by-law infraction – the business is not named in the announcement but other reports indicate it’s Teresa Rickerby’s All Creatures Great and Small and the Spark Toy store.  The violation is for a use of the property that is not permitted by zoning. The location is the rear of these stores facing the Covert St parking lot.  Download the Town’s notice here.

Addition 26 March

Pete Fisher has some good reporting on this subject on his web site Today’s Northumberland.  He includes reporting on the tent in Victoria Park on Friday, with video, plus statements from MPP PIcinni, the Mayor and Police Chief.

Go to Northumberland Today here.

Addition 2 April

Cobourg Police Service Host Community Meeting

Residents and business owners are invited to attend a meeting to listen to community safety concerns scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, at 6:00 pm in the Lions Community Centre (Elgin Street East) – Revised location – second revision.

Print Article: 

 

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Pete M
1 year ago

News headline.
Cobourg The Feel Good Town
“Police hear Community about quality of life issues and overdose deaths. Will engage with Community at Local Funeral home”

You just cant make this stuff up!

Newbie
1 year ago

“Vancouver is Dying” YouTube doc. Is this where Cobourg is heading? This is fact based and not fear mongering…sharing info.

Link: https://youtu.be/PT8OU8Yhs_s

Pete M
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

I see the police have heard the Community and decided to hold a community meeting at the reception hall of MacCoubrey’s.

Then surprisingly the Community had to tell Police holding a community meeting dealing with peoples’ plight and dying in a Funeral home was not a good idea.

In light of Newbie’ s Vancouver is Dying video was this the Police facilitating an opportunity for the Community to pay its last respect for the downtown before they buried it?

All good and well the Police are holding a community meeting. Will the Chief listen or will it be more more of him telling the Community their feelings are all wrong- its just YOUR perception-while in the Chiefs reality all is good, its just a social problem that needs more hugs, more love and more importantly more money.
If only we could get to $100000 of support per person, poof problems solved.

John Draper
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

The meeting has moved to the Lions Community Centre.

Pete M
Reply to  John Draper
1 year ago

Yes I aware going to lions centre.
MacCoubreys shouldnt have even been considered.
Poor thinking and planning on the part of the Police.
Lions or Columbus Hall should have been considered before a funeral home. What about Trinty Church?

Bryan
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

Pete M
or the CCC or V13

Lots of better choices

Rob
Reply to  Bryan
1 year ago

How about we simply say, literally anywhere else would have been a better choice than a funeral home.

Newbie
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

I will definitely be there…to important of an issue to not be there.

Lots of questions, hopefully heard and taken into serious account, backed by Action.

Newbie
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

Many of my family members will be there too. Most of us not on social media, so appreciate this site.

Dave
1 year ago

March 31 – latest tent taken down – attended by by-law officer. Near bus depot.

marya
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Here’s hoping that this scenario was not a ruse in order to divert from a real one in a more private location!

Rob
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Its interesting that the organizers of the unsanctioned and illegal consumption tents are thumbing their noses at Town officials – popping up across the street from Town Hall, and 2 blocks from the Police station in a highly visible, high traffic location. The week before, in the largest park in Town. I was happy to see Bylaw attended on Friday and the tent came down.

Newbie
Reply to  Rob
1 year ago

Unbelievable.

I reached out to the Mayor, Councillors and bylaw this morning via email to see why the town has not been updated on the last two tents on the Towns News website…not a word since the first site.

The newsworthy events on the towns News site are library events, parking passes and St. John’s ambulance dogs.

The Mayor has pledged transparency?

And perception that Action is being taken is so vital to the the townspeople.

If they cannot divulge much information due to an ongoing investigation, at least let us know that much.

Last edited 1 year ago by Newbie
Newbie
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

No response from Mayor, bylaw or any of the councillors.

Newbie
1 year ago

You can submit a complaint to bylaw, referencing the 2 bylaw violations I found and noted below.

By law can use the videos as evidence. The women at Victoria park is one of the women on video who works for the “Tweak Easy” gang in Peterborough.

Not sure, but she may be one of the guest speakers for the ‘Love in the time of Fentynal’ screening.

THE SCREENING TAKES PLACE AT VICTORIA HALL TOMORROW NIGHT…put on and promoted by Missy McLean, the Greenwood Coalition and Tweak Easy.

FYI, for those who may not know TWEAK meaning:

to engage in wildly excited or agitated behavior under the influence of methamphetamine, cocaine, or other stimulant drugs: She grabbed a knife and waved it around while tweaking out on crystal meth.

He showed up shirtless and barefoot, tweaked out on cocaine.

https://www.dictionary.com › browse
Tweak Definition & Meaning – Dictionary.com

Last edited 1 year ago by Newbie
Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

Well well well guess who sits on the board of the Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective: Missy McLean. Monday April 3 is likely when council will decide on the proposal. Looking forward to John’s post as the report is a long read. I’m on page 100 and no end in sight. If you have an opinion on this now is the time to email council.

Kathleen
1 year ago

According to a comment on a Facebook Group called, Living and Loving in Cobourg” regarding the non-sanctioned pop up tents, Theresa Rickerby cannot wait for Monday night’s Council Meeting. Why?

marya
Reply to  John Draper
1 year ago

The Gallery will be filled.

Newbie
1 year ago

As an active addict what we do is constantly—24hrs a day think of how we can get our next fix. We will do anything: steal, bribe, coerce, break and enter, lie, trespass, sell our bodies for money…WHATEVER it takes.

FACTS. HONESTY. TRUTH.

Ask an addictions therapist or go to an AA or NA meeting…they will tell you.

All day long thinking about how to feed the monster and escape from our pain.

When I was in treatment a fellow addict brought fentanyl in, trying to sell to the other addicts who were seriously wanting to get sober.

This person was immediately caught onto and kicked out…for jeopardizing everyone else’s efforts.. Very Sad for that person, but people were very angry.

Last edited 1 year ago by Newbie
Kathleen
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

If there is any way to help end these unsanctioned pop up tents it will be people like you telling your story. Thank you for sharing Newbie.

Lois
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

Thank you newbie for your honesty.

IAN
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

For what it’s worth, I applaud and admire your courage and honesty. I hope your pain becomes something of your past, which only gives you strength to move forward.

Dave
1 year ago

I see these sites as not Harm Reduction but Increasing Harm Sites. Instead of rallying for rehab programs and abstinence they cry for assisting continued drug use. Thereby they create jobs for themselves, already a very large and funded industry with many employed and in the end not help the drug addicted by keeping/increasing a pool of users of these services to that benefit themselves.

Newbie
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Well said David. Potentially putting those who suffer from anxiety and depression, PTSD at risk…looking for a convenient/accessible way to escape their own hellish stories?

Those addicted who have gone to rehabilitation centres and have worked very hard at their sobriety and abstinence…and now have these drugs being offered right down the street? I see this as a potential hazard to ruining people’s hard earned sobriety…speaking from experience.

As well as our youth who are vulnerable enough already…why would we want a tent where people are “self medicating” in very dangerous ways at our public parks? Drug dealers around, etc.? Very tempting for vulnerable people trying to stay sober.

Dave
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

Newbie the programs you are now involved with will offer strength, advice and shared experience to overcome temptations. To reach out to them, to busy yourself when dark thoughts come, developing interest and hobbies to replace and keep at bay a return. Also you are fortunate to have loved ones. Looking into their faces and knowing how very valuable it is to them to have you clean and sober in their lives. Loved and needed.

Health Canada in “their wisdom” has decided on these sites promoting them. False saviours, dispensing in tents, instead of leading by power of example abstinence. Perhaps as another poster said it would be better to allow them to succumb instead of a dragged out hellsih life, eternal hell on earth. It is what addiction often brings – death. But then Health Canada is a Federal ministry. The Charter of Human Rights – presented by Pierre Trudeau. Age 20 in 1939. Selected not to serve his country in WWII. A good part of his studies a philosophy student. And here we all are so many years later living by his philosphies which I am sure he ingrained in his sons. I can only think of “O Canada, glorious and free, we stand on guard we stand on guard” Yet Pierrie Trudeau did not, he philosophized WWII away as unimportant. Elected unbelievablly to be Prime Minister of Canada!
Good for you Newbie – remember Keep Coming Back as said in the programs for sobriety. You have taken the right path in rebuilding your life. Shame on the purveyors in the tents.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dave
Newbie
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Thank you Dave.

AA, NA and Treatment centres are all FREE services, as well as Addictions counsellors at Fourcast.

There is so many resources out there, provided by qualified professionals, and sober, recovering addicts.

People who love, support, guide, educate and teach abstinence. You don’t have to be alone. For me, it is impossible to do it alone. Groups of wonderful people with empathy.

marya
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

We 👏 👏 You, Newbie! What an inspiring person!

Rational
1 year ago

From Today’s Northumberland Facebook page in the comments section relating to the Video from Victoria Park last night (Friday Mr. 24th) one of the commenters said the following:

“Some of the people in this video are involved with the proposed sleeping cabins are they trustworthy of running something like that?”

(The comment is near the bottom of that string of about 165 comments.)

If what the commenter said is true, then this raises a serious red flag (on top of all the other concerns Cobourg residents have) pertaining to the Sleeping Cabins proposal in that are they going to become ideal locations for the unsanctioned sites for drug use.

The Mayor, Councillors and Law Enforcement need to take responsibility to review the video, identify the organizers and investigate what the commenter said to determine if it is true. If it is true then it is irresponsible to give any type of consideration to the Sleeping Cabin proposal in the Town of Cobourg.

P.S. Note (Added 4:43pm Mar 25). Pete Fisher has just posted (4:22pm Mar. 25th) a second video in addition to the one posted on Today’s Northumberland Facebook Mar. 24th – Friday night. For Leadership and Law Enforcement’s review of what the commenter said referred to organizers they saw in the first video posted on Mar 24th (which is also on this Blog in addition to TN’s Facebook site).

Last edited 1 year ago by Rational
ben
Reply to  Rational
1 year ago

Is it rational to ‘shoot the messengers’ instead of looking at the issues?

Ken Strauss
Reply to  Rational
1 year ago

For those who dislike Facebook, Pete Fisher’s second video interview of the criminals in Victoria Park can be watched on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Khm2s8T1P6Y

Dam_213
Reply to  Ken Strauss
1 year ago

This is insanity at its finest. How would the police feel if I invite a bunch of people over to my house to do drugs? We need solutions not this BS.

Pete M
Reply to  Dam_213
1 year ago

f you hang a banner outside that says safe injection site. You should be safe.

Old Sailor
1 year ago

I remember when “To Serve and To Protect” was the Police motto meaning protecting the good guys from the bad guys. With our wonderful Charter of Rights, it now appears to mean the Police having to protect the bad guys from the good guys. We will need Council, the Police, some good lawyers, our MPP and our MP working on this to allow us to go back to the old definition of To Serve and To Protect – before Victoria Park turns into a summer druggie ghetto residence.

Dave
Reply to  Old Sailor
1 year ago

Also let us not forget who the author of the Charter of Human Rights was in 1982. Continuing his legacy is his son with his federal policies under Health Canada that are further destroying society. Scandal after scandal – bribing the public with his cash giveaways. A sad day for Canada when the Charter of Human Rights which should be renamed the Abuse of Human Rights came into effect.

Lois
Reply to  Old Sailor
1 year ago

Just wondering. Would Port hope police take this tent down? I bet in two seconds.

Pete M
1 year ago

Ms. McLean states she part of the group: Moms Stop The Harm

https://www.momsstoptheharm.com/missy-mclean

In her bio she states:

“Missy is a settler who lives on the Traditional Territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations with her husband and two young children, who she knows will definitely experiment with and use drugs in their lifetimes”

Note the last sentence “…her husband and two young children, who she knows will definitely experiment with and use drugs in their lifetimes.”

So, I have to question Missy’s real goal? Is it to help stop people in their drug use or is it to make illegal drug use more socially acceptable while reducing the harm?
I lean toward the latter

Lois
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

It’s so she can say to her kids “oh look kids.theres a safe injection tent. Now you can take drugs and not die anymore.”. Cobourgs the place to be.

marya
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

We have all settled on the same Traditional Territory. All do not experiment with deadly drugs and all are not advocating for the decriminalization of those products.

Newbie
1 year ago

BY-LAW NUMBER 019-2015 Violation

smoke ‘ or “smoking” shall mean holding or carrying a lighted cigar, cigarette, PIPE or any OTHER lighted smoking material or equipment; and

BY-LAW NUMBER 022-2016, section 4.1 (a) Violation

Indulge in any disorderly, DANGEROUS, offensive, riotous, boisterous, violent, threatening, or ILLEGAL conduct or use profane or abusive language;

see By-Law guide link to the right

Last edited 1 year ago by Newbie
Bryan
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

Newbie,

You outlined what the by-law prohibits, but not where it is prohibited, a critical aspect of the by-law.

BL 019-215:

Defenitions:

“Outdoor public place” means any property owned, leased or controlled by the Town of Cobourg, including without limitation; parks, beaches, bus shelters, splash pads, pools a d any area that is within a nine-meter radius of an exterior of a building located on any property owned, leased or controlled by the Town of Cobourg, whether or not a “No Smoking” sign is posted, but does not include the following:
a) highways;
b) road allowances abutting a regional or municipal property;
c) municipal sidewalks, except for that portion of any municipal sidewalk that is within a nine-meter radius of exterior of a building located on any property owned, leased or controlled by the Town of Cobourg;
d) parking lots or any area designated for the parking of motor vehicles;
e) walking or hiking trails; and
f) rights-of-way.

“Public place” means the whole or any part of an enclosed indoor area covered by a permanent roof or ceiling to which the public has access by right, permission or invitation , express or implied, and whether publicly or privately owned and shall include a private club, school bus, public transportation vehicle and taxi cab; 

SMOKING AND USE OF ANY TOBACOO PRODUCTS IN PUBLIC PLACES
2) No person shall smoke or use any tobacco product while in a public place within the Town of Cobourg.
3) No person who owns, occupies or operates a public place within the Town shall permit smoking or use of any tobacco product in such public place.
4) No person who owns, occupies or operates a public place within the Town shall place or set out an ashtray in such public place or allow an ashtray to remain in such public place.
5) No person shall smoke or use any tobacco product within twenty (20) meters of e edge of the playing surfaces of all children’s playgrounds, and publicly owned sorts playing fields and surfaces and recreational facilities in Town of Cobourg; d signs will be posted accordingly.
6) No person shall smoke or use any tobacco product in any outdoor public place and within nine meters of the exterior of any building located on any property owned, leased or controlled by the Town of Cobourg. 

Newbie
Reply to  Bryan
1 year ago

Bryan.

We have been discussing public parks in this thread; Public Outdoor Spaces…Victoria Park in particular.

I provided the related bylaw#s and sections…as well as the violations in the bylaw.

I also noted that there is a by law guide link to the right of this page…just a click away to get all other info related to those bylaw sections.

No sense in cutting and pasting all of what is a click away in this forum.

I was paying attention.

Last edited 1 year ago by Newbie
Bryan
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

Newbie,
Your comment was not in reply to a prior comment. It was a comment in general and therefore could be in reference to Public Outdoor Spaces in general.

There are a number of Public Outdoor Spaces that many would assume are “forbidden areas” but are in fact, specifically excluded.
Such as:
c) municipal sidewalks, except for that portion of any municipal sidewalk that is within a nine-meter radius of exterior of a building located on any property owned, leased or controlled by the Town of Cobourg;
d) parking lots or any area designated for the parking of motor vehicles;

Newbie
Reply to  Bryan
1 year ago

Bryan. This thread starting earlier this morning has been about the tent setup in Victoria Park last nite. If you were following, or reading you would know that.

I was providing thorough information.

That’s it. That’s all. Let it go man.

Newbie
1 year ago

Drinking a can of beer is not permitted in our public parks?

Ken Strauss
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

Right, no beer!

Bylaw 022-2016 includes in part:

11.0 ALCOHOL While in a park, no person shall consume, serve or sell alcoholic beverages unless permitted by applicable law or unless authorized by the Town in accordance with the Town’s Municipal Alcohol Policy and under a permit issued by the Town and with the approval of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. 

The sale and consumption of illegal drugs is not mentioned in the bylaw.

Informed
Reply to  Ken Strauss
1 year ago

I guess the by-law needs updating. There just needs to be some leadership to do this?

Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

The mayor’s award that Teresa Rickerby received at the chambers award night must be rescinded. Allowing and condoning illegal drug use on what she thought was her private property behind her downtown business has broken the law and she should be charged. I strongly encourage all to boycott her businesses.

Kathleen
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

I agree totally. It’s extremely doubtful she would have won had everybody been made aware of what she promotes.

marya
Reply to  Kathleen
1 year ago

I am thinking that the award was decided or concluded before March 17, 2023.

Keith Oliver
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

Good for you Cobourg Taxpayer, or whoever you are!

Keep pouring gasoline on the fire; keep the debate as full of disrespect and as far from constructive engagement as possible!

What does Rockerbys’ business have to do with the position she’s taken on clean injection sites? She was a great, hard-working Town Councilor who had to leave Council before her term was up for personal reasons

Argue the issue not the person, if that’s possible!

Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

A google search reveals that the TweakEasy tent which operates in Peterborough by Missy McLean and her gang had their go fund me page shut down in September 2022 due “prohibited conduct” how about explaining that Missy et al? They also brag about assisting 1500 drug users in over a year. How about statistics on those that entered rehabilitation, recovered and are now gainfully employed?

Last edited 1 year ago by Cobourg taxpayer
Newbie
1 year ago

“We WANT to get high and not die” says masked women in video…In our park where children play and live across the street??

The issue is the behaviours brought on by hard drug use (NOT the individual) potential drug induced psychosis (break from reality), etc.

No discrimination here toward people…but the FRIGHTENING and UNPREDICTABLE behaviours brought on by “WANTING to get HIGH” in our public parks.

Do not treat taxpayers who are afraid and angry and openly voicing their feelings as though we are discriminatory.

As she stated she is a user herself…is she high when “helping” the other users?…how effective and safe is that help when the helpers are stoned and their cognition impaired?

Yesterday at around 4pm, across from town hall a man was smashing and punching a van and screaming and yelling. The van drove off. He then began forcefully smashing his head repeatedly against a streetlight post…over and over again.

Very afraid of the behaviours! Is this legal in our beautiful Victoria Park?

Last edited 1 year ago by Newbie
Ken Strauss
1 year ago

For our drug scene from the Peterborough Examiner’s perspective:

https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/local-northumberland/news/2023/03/24/no-time-for-bureaucracy-advocates-plan-to-continue-unsanctioned-overdose-prevention-site-in-cobourg.html

“Our plans have been disrupted, but not extinguished,” said McLean, in response to the notice of violation of the town’s zoning bylaw to the private-property owner after learning of plans at this location.

Last edited 1 year ago by Ken Strauss
Rational
Reply to  Ken Strauss
1 year ago

Interesting that the “Free Drug Screening” presentation mentioned in the article is being organized by Missy McLean, with Victoria Hall being provided for this March 27th. (McLean is also a Director of Moms Stop the Harm who are sponsoring the filming.

Why would the Mayor and Councillors allow use of these facilities to the same person who is ignoring the By-Laws of Cobourg, the Motion passed by Council and trying to find work-arounds to continuing setting up these unsanctioned sites in Cobourg?

Last edited 1 year ago by Rational
Wally Keeler
Reply to  Rational
1 year ago

Why would the Mayor and Councillors(sic) allow use of these facilities to the same person who is ignoring the By-Laws of Cobourg

Cuz free speech.

marya
Reply to  Wally Keeler
1 year ago

Free Speech comes with responsibilities and consequences.

Pete M
1 year ago

Lets be honest about this illegal “safe injection site”
It is nothing more than a poor person’s opium den.
Take a look at purpose of opium den of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were for the consumption of opium coming in from the Far East.
Todays safe injection site is to facilitate the consumption of todays Opiod- Fentynal.
And if we are to believe certain media, the Fentynal is coming in from the Far East thru Mexico to Canada.
Seems we are repeating history with even more dire consequences

Mrs. Anonymous
1 year ago

Earlier this week, a downtown business facilitated an illegal drug injection site out their back door. Last night, the same business won the Mayor’s award at the chamber’s award night.

Indeed it does feel like everything’s broken.

Pickle
1 year ago

This problem has become unmanageable because our town has drug addicted homeless coming from all parts of Ontario. This is not sustainable. Only born and raised locals should be using resources that have been proportionately shared with surrounding communities, not creating a hub in such a small town. No one seems to care that the more accommodations that are made the more people come. We now have people who have set root in Cobourg over past years and these organizers will have you believe they came here a few years ago for small town living lifestyle choices rather than the resources that are continuously advocated for. A town of 20000 should never be the catch all for such a large area.

Informed
Reply to  Pickle
1 year ago

Municipalities that become enablers by virtue of their inability to enforce their own bylaws and portraying a soft approach will attract not only the homeless and addicts but the drug dealers as well. Word spreads fast

Pickle
Reply to  Pickle
1 year ago

If this current model is sustainable, when does it end and what will Cobourg look like when it does?

Dave
1 year ago

The Health Department decreed applications were specific to area and were to be obtained prior to operating any tents. Presently the last tent drew 6 users, the tent in Victoria Park did not appear to have much more – as the weeks pass exactly what will the situation be? I am very disappointed no action was taken by police nor a by-law officer of Cobourg as there is no exemption granted here.
As an aside President Biden visited Ottawa Friday to ask for Canada’s pledge in joining military efforts with the U.S. regarding the Russian invastion of the Urkraine and encourage Canada to build its military.
Certainly a whole different population then what met the cry in 1939. How sad especially when you consider the dirty 30s, long line ups for any kind of job and the spirit of survival in very tough times.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dave
Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

These women from Peterborough hiding their faces behind masks and “educating” ( who they’re educating I’m not sure) and facilitating illegal drug use in Victoria Park need to be arrested and thrown in jail. They’re speaking incoherently and if they feel assisting addicts to consume illegal drugs is their calling why do they refuse to apply through legal channels to get these sites established? Where are the damn police???? This is an illegal activity on public property.

Rational
1 year ago

This is tonight at Victoria Park from Pete Fisher’s Todays Northumberland Faceboook video. Unsanctioned site set up again.

I truly do not understand how this is happening after Mayor Cleaveland said it was not permitted on video under By Law 85/2003.

Foe myself, I have lost confidence in the Mayor.

https://www.facebook.com/TodaysNorthumberland/

Pete M
Reply to  Rational
1 year ago

Its nothing more than public consumption of illicit drugs under the guise of a safe injection site.
Individuals arent properly trained to respond to overdose/drug poisoning.
I question what efforts and information is being provide to assist the users in getting into rehab?

Now with them using Victoria Park, is this a precursor to a summer tent city for homeless and addicted?

Town and Police need to get out ahead of this, before it looks like mini East Hastings neighbourhood, Vancouver.

marya
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

You are right about the deception, and it does not address the individuals who are hiding in doorways… and who are mentioned in the letters of Mary Ito or Ken Prue. Maybe no one called the Police about Victoria Park on Friday, March 24 as per the Police Statement that they “would assist if called on.”

Ann
Reply to  Rational
1 year ago

Perhaps Pete would kindly post video on Today’s Northumberland for those not on FB?

Gerry
Reply to  Ann
1 year ago

Go to YouTube. Pete has his videos posted on his channel. You don’t need a membership there to view it.

Rational
Reply to  Ann
1 year ago

You can access the videos by going to Today’s Northumberland Facebook page. You do not need to be a member of Facebook, as they leave their page open to the general public. You can also access all comments added by its facebook members.

Mrs. Anonymous
1 year ago

Pete Fisher has video and an interview of them in the park tonight, public property.

Where are the police?

Gerry
Reply to  Mrs. Anonymous
1 year ago

Aren’t you assuming the police were even called?

Rational
1 year ago

In watching the Pete Fisher Today’s Northumberland March 23rd video of Mayor Cleaveland explaining By-Law 85-2003, while he clearly states that the sites are not permitted on Commercial/Retail properties, he is not so clear on Residential properties. Rather he does what I view as a “talk-around” when asked by Mr. Fisher saying Cobourg is committed to enforcing By-Laws and if anyone has a Residential question on this matter they should reach out to the By-Law or Planning Departments.

Mayor Cleaveland in my view should know the answer to this and needs to advise clearly whether or not these illegal sites are permitted on private Residential properties.

We cannot have these illegal sites popping up in subdivisions or neighborhoods. Residents need to know what the Towns’ true position is concerning Residential properties.

Dunkirk
1 year ago

There are 3 types of major addictions in Cobourg: Heroin, Carbohydrates & Public Service Wages+Benefits….
When the public servants in the last group provide absolutely no meaningful solution to those in the first group, I think it proves they have the most damaging affliction of all.

Michelle
1 year ago

It’s great that the police chief’s wife feels safe leaving her employment at the Scotiabank. The Scotiabank doesn’t feel their staff is safe during working hours without a security guard. The Scotiabank has shut down access to the ATM after hours and on weekends. Sorry Chief and Police Board NOT a Social Service Problem. This is costing businesses money.
.

Pete M
Reply to  Michelle
1 year ago

Chief says people saying they feel unsafe downtown is incorrect. Chief says what they are , is just unnerved. In order for them to feel unsafe there needs to be an increase in robberies, assaults ,sex assaults, suspicious person.

Chief says those stats are down, so the Chief believes you shouldn’t be feeling unsafe..when those stats increase then your to feel unsafe.

I’m surprised he didn’t say Keep Calm and Carry On.

Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

The Town of Cobourg has finally taken a positive stance see Todays Northumberland Cobourg issues notice of violation to property owner regarding injection site. The site was not on private property. Teresa Rickerby former councillor ( briefly) and local business owner will no longer use public property for an illegal drug injection site. Very disappointing that the police have nothing to do with this it’s all bylaw. So what’s the purpose of the local police exactly? They cost too much and do nothing.

Old Sailor
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

Right on Cobourg Taxpayer. I am now a former patron of Terea Rickerby’s store – All Creatures Great and Small! Perhaps the DBIA should come out of hiding and make a public comment on this subject.

Mrs. Anonymous
Reply to  Old Sailor
1 year ago

Will be interesting to see how this story unfolds at the Business Achievement Awards on Friday night…

marya
Reply to  Mrs. Anonymous
1 year ago

Yikes! An award was presented to her.

Matt
1 year ago

I’m divided on the Safe-Injection/OD-Prevention site issue…I think it’s needed but I think going rogue and running it out of tents by well-meaning, but thoroughly unqualified, non-medical-professionals is irresponsible and absolutely the wrong way to go about it.

That being said, some of the commentary on here is getting over-the-top.

If any of the organizers of the OD-Prevention site are monitoring these comments, can I make a request? When you engage with the users of your site, please, please make them aware that they are responsible for their behaviour in and around your site. If they are able to recognize the value of your operation and the work that you’ve all obviously put into it, then they should be willing to modify their behavior, so that no one can look at what you are doing as a blight on their community. It’ll do wonders for your PR and actually might do some net good for the community. And before any of you respond that that is beyond the capacity of these people because of their level of trauma…unless the drug business has changed an awful lot in recent years, I guarantee you that they’re keeping it together in their dealer’s presence.

Pete M
Reply to  Matt
1 year ago

Matt,

Interesting requests from you–“they should be willing to modify their behavior”

If they could modify their behaviour this all.of this would be a moot point

Matt
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

You’re making the same mistake made by the people who label every single one of them a “trauma victim,” unaccountable for their own actions. You’re not giving them nearly enough credit.

Giving someone something…anything to give a darnn about can work wonders. In this case giving a darnn would mean not buying/selling or acting like an animal in the vicinity of this site. Wouldn’t that be a positive for downtown?

I’ll be honest, my expectation is that this will be a situation where the organizers of this will be too busy patting themselves on the back to pay much attention to the behaviour of anyone leaving the tent, but done right, this really could be a positive thing.

Dave
Reply to  Matt
1 year ago

Matt – you are obviously not from Toronto. Read the news articles of people that live near these sites, what they have experienced, what their children too young to understand have seen. My wife’s favourite song in her teens was Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone – she remembers it with fondness but her point of view has changed.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dave
Matt
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Man…you don’t know where I’m from. Stay in your lane.

Rob
Reply to  Matt
1 year ago

Whatever side of the debate people are on regarding safe injection/consumption sites, what is getting lost in many comments is the fact that the Cobourg consumption site is unsanctioned, unlicensed, uninsured, lacks wrap around services, and was initiated illegally without due diligence and without adhering for laws/bylaws/regulations/etc…and without the appropriate approvals.

These are important facts not to be excluded.

Last edited 1 year ago by Rob
Dave
Reply to  Rob
1 year ago

All good points Rob. However the other part is this is safe injection sites are not a good solution period. Programs that provide assistance to get off drugs, rebuild and teach further skills is what I think would work better. Money is limited and should be used to better purpose then the bandaid of safe injection sites.

Pete M
1 year ago

From Today’s Northumberland,
Chief Vandegraaf, But 16% of the 11,287 calls for service were “non-core police functions” and dealt with suspicious persons, disturb the peace, drug poisoning, unwanted persons and people who call for somebody whose encountering mental health there is a substantial increase.

“Sixteen percent of the calls for service for our entire police service, most of which are in the downtown core are calls that are poverty based – homelessness.

The calls for service may be homeless based and not core police functions, but they are quality of life issues for the whole community. This is why concerned business owners are writing letters. They see it daily, the negative impact it is having on the downtown, their businesses and their patrons.

They don’t want to see it devolve into something akin to Vancouver’s- Easy Hastings

Jeffy
1 year ago

Simple answer – the downtown businesses are enabling this. Boycott all downtown businesses. They are trying to kill downtown, let’s give ’em a helping hand. Let’s kill all downtown business and start from scratch with a new council and police board with some courage. You have to ask, who are these people working for?

Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 year ago

I too am a taxpayer in Northumberland and I support harm reduction. People are taking these drugs already and people are dying. The harm reduction site is simply about providing health and safety to a person while the person is smoking/injecting the drug ensuring, safe needle use, and preventing deaths. That is all. IT is about saving lives. Studies and stats show that there is no significant increase in drug users and lives are saved. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Ken Strauss
Reply to  Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 year ago

Linda, perhaps lives are saved this high but what about the next and the next and…? And what do your “studies and stats” say about illegal injection sites curing addition?

Keith Oliver
Reply to  Ken Strauss
1 year ago

Ken

In your reply to Linda you ask about “illegal injection sites curing addiction”.

First of all, it appears throughout this ongoing conversation and as discribed by Missy McLean and her volunteers, that they are not breaking any existing laws and therefore are not illegal. Also that their purpose is not to cure addiction but to save lives.

The fact that Lindas’ forthright and compassionate statement is getting so many thumbs down indicates that mass hysteria has overtaken this long ignored issue.

Funny how you can break your toe and get immediate treatment but if you descend into the depths of immobilizing dispair through addiction you’re on your own … (unless of course you have the $40,000+ fee to receive private treatment at the new addiction treatment centre now found at the site of the old Woodlawn Inn.)

Lois
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

It allows them to continue with their drug use. This is not helping. This is enabling. What happens when the new drug hits town that narcon doesn’t work. Coming to your neighbourhood soon.

Kyle
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

The only real way you get immediate treatment is through incarceration until you withdraw from the drug. Even then unless they are committed to quitting the use starts again. You could have free treatment centers at every corner and it would not necessarily make much difference.

Dam_213
Reply to  Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 year ago

This is clearly a complex problem. Maybe a harm reduction site could lead someone to see a better way, maybe it will keep someone on the path of drug use. I’m sure studies can be found to support either theory. One thing for sure is if my neighbour set this up on their property I would have a big issue with it. The situation is clearly getting worse. I also almost hit a young women on college at king as she just stepped out in front of my car. We have seen people as high as kites speaking in tongues. I explain to my seven year old that what they are seeing is a person using bad drugs to mask their pain. I’m ok with that lesson, but it is getting out of hand. My wife no longer feels safe walking to work and plots her route to avoid the known spots where they hang out. For me I still believe Cobourg is safe, but I’m an ex military guy that grew up in a dangerous city in Europe. However it is sad to see that change over the past seven years here.

Dave
1 year ago

Thinking about this fictionary scenario – “The group gathered to send their friend off, his having died of a drug overdose – encouraged to continue use also in the provided injection tents. They remembered his humour provided on their down days. One took his budgie home, another a few things he could use from his boarding room offered prior to the balance hitting the street for pick up. One such comrade observed it all and thought of the years ahead in this life, that is if there were to be years – months, days? Depressing future they thought. After returning home they picked up the telephone and called to find out about the promised wrap around services and thought about all the job opportunities offered in Cobourg. A life saved.”
Injection sites are enablers. Wrap around services are a phone call way we are told.
Especially with this one being an illegal one I am having trouble understanding the views of the police chief. And hopefully should Council and other authorities be consulted for opening a sanctioned enabling injection site the answer will be no. No for the sake of the citizens of Cobourg and no because they are not good solutions. Glad to see the by-law enacted immediately!

ben
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Thinking about this fictionary scenario “:
“After returning home they picked up the telephone and called to find out about the promised wrap around services and thought about all the job opportunities offered in Cobourg. A life saved.”

or in actual practice:

He called to discover there is no ‘wraparound’ because the monies are stuck in agency silos and the agencies don’t coordinate services. Another life doomed!

Last edited 1 year ago by ben
Dave
Reply to  ben
1 year ago

Why Ben?! You mean to tell us the Greenwood Coalition has lied to us? They say they are going to offer available wrap around services to any who occupy the sleeping cabins they want installed at the Memorial Centre. What a surprise! Thank you for clarifying.

Dave
Reply to  ben
1 year ago

Ben, been waiting for your reply. Shall I forward the information you provided to Greenwood Coalition and ask if they made up the wrap around services available to anyone wishing to access them? Or is your reply just one of yours that you insert to sway toward your point of view?

ben
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Dave
So sorry to disappoint you by not replying to your post –

Why Ben?! You mean to tell us the Greenwood Coalition has lied to us? They say they are going to offer available wrap around services to any who occupy the sleeping cabins they want installed at the Memorial Centre. What a surprise! Thank you for clarifying.”

Was there a question in there, and even the second plea for me to answer didn’t make much sense.

I didn’t answer because I don’t sit around all day waiting to make smart comments. I have other things to do – like sit in the sun and drink beer – in Mexico (the wonders of the internet)

Dave
Reply to  ben
1 year ago

Well sorry to interrupt Ben – by all means crack another cold one. However you never answered about why you stated the bit about no wrap around services – Is Greenwood lying to us then? Otherwise I will think it is just a snarky remark.

ben
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

Ask Greenwood! I have to crack another one.

Dave
Reply to  ben
1 year ago

Curious – As the name you register on this blog is the one you are held to use, even if just dropping a last name how were you able to switch from your posting name of Ben Burd to just Ben? The system is set up to to stay with original posting name. In looking back at prior posts I noted there was a person who posted as Ben, no last name, at the same time as Ben Burd. Your comments and language are the same as “just Ben”, not Ben Burd. Are you sure you are Ben Burd Ben? You have implied you are Ben Burd. Perhaps you are someone else. Or may like the 3 Faces of Eve?

Last edited 1 year ago by Dave
ben
Reply to  Dave
1 year ago

who gives a crap what you call yourself on this board – you guess! Who I am doesn’t change my opinions though

Danjean
1 year ago

That is our worry Ken when we have to cross to the parking lot behind the town hall! It has been stopping us from attending the evening concerts!

Rational
1 year ago

Maybe the Mayor, Council and Cobourg Police (who taxpayers fund $6M+ to the Police Department) would take this matter seriously and act if tax paying residents of Cobourg were to withhold the next tax payment (due May 25th) if these sites are not shut down, given that they are currently operating on an illegal basis – whether on private property or not.

cornbread
1 year ago

Perhaps it’s about time the Cobourg Police Force “Kicked some Butt” with this potential problem to our town. Maybe they should have the guts to take the law into their hands and clean up any so called Drug Gatherings if and when it happens.

Informed
Reply to  cornbread
1 year ago

If this approach was taken and word got out then there may be a chance for our downtown. I’m not holding my breath. More vacancies downtown will create a spiral effect leading to tent city’s and permanent injection sites. Someone needs to grab a set and starting catering to 99% of the other residents that live here.

Dave
1 year ago

Recently the addicts rummaging through the dumpsters, shooting up in the children’s play area, being found in the lobby of the building shooting up, having sex for money in the lobby, breaking into cars has in the last months lessened. Putting up one of these sites can only attract more addicts who are not seeking rehabilitation but wanting to continue their drug use and have the safety of being revived. I don’t see being a counsellor for an out of the cold program relates to drug use tents. Offering to assist with shelter has little to do with drug use tents.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dave
Dave
1 year ago

As this operation is “unsanctioned” a softer word for illegal I don’t see the problem with charging the property owner for offering their premise for an illegal activity. Another point was made. Should a person be out on bail, be on probation and have a condition of this freedom be no drug use why would the police not be there to run checks on the people using the site to ensure there are not those violating their conditions of release? Otherwise why have an application process to be approved by Health Canada?
As for one commenter saying this may work in Toronto, – read the articles – it doesn’t. People living in neighbourhoods where these safe injection site are troubled by the number of attracted drug dealers and proliferation of discarded drug implements by attracted addicts buying and not using within the tent.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dave
New to Cobourg
1 year ago

Since we seem to know where the next pop-up is going to occur, perhaps there could be a police presence established. This would make residents feel safer. And on another note, perhaps the store owner who is permitting this to happen on their location should be advised by her paying customers that they do not support this and will have to boycott her store in the future. Money talks.

Lois
Reply to  New to Cobourg
1 year ago

There is talk of a protest. Picket.

Keith Oliver
1 year ago

Everyone concerned with the presence of safe injection sites in the Cobourg community should be aware of a phenomenon called “mass hysteria” wherein a threat is perceived to be many times more powerful than it actually is … and that such an exaggerated state is perpetuated through emotion, a baseless feeling of being under personal threat and an absence of hard facts.

At this moment, and to bring some rational order to this “debate”, we should know how many individuals fall under that category of addiction wherein they pose a concrete threat to others. I’m not talking about making one uncomfortable, but posing a verifiable threat.

From the information made public so far any crimes associated with the addicted are petty, none involve physical contact or assault.

I can remember a time when the established population was made uncomfortable in the presence of visible minorities, gay couples, marriages between different races or classes including Christians and Jews. Thankfully all that has changed or is changing.

I live within a 5 minute walk of Victoria Hall and will walk the area after dark over the next three nights.

As the British once opined “Keep calm and carry on!”

Newbie
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

These are not ‘baseless’ emotions or feelings. They are being voiced in the presence of ‘hard facts’ and reality.

Needles in kids playgrounds, being screamed and yelled at, bicycles being stolen, being intimidated by being jumped toward.

Drug seeking behaviours.

I do not think these valid fears should be compared to peoples discomfort, as it was put:

“…the presence of visible minorities, gay couples, marriages between different races or classes including Christians and Jews.”

That is an unjust tactic to mock our genuine fears, as though they were somehow comparable to racism. Shame.

Jade
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

Seriously Keith ? Wow…. certainly ARE NOT BASELESS. we are all taxpayers and if we feel threatened or uncomfortable with questionable pe, your damned right we need to speak up and have cops called. Even if they are not doing anything about this. Wonder if the OPP would allow this to take place ? I have undesirable people removed from a private property all the time for dumpster divers , which I might add is an addict. Buy oh no.. cops are allowing injection sites with drugs than can and will kill.

Kathleen
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

People have legitimate fears Keith. All you need to do is to read people’s real stories. I was pretty fearful when we were driving downtown and either an addict or someone out of their mind, jumped in front of our car a few weeks ago. If my husband had not applied the brakes and swerved the car, we would have been looking at an even more fearful situation.

Pressure must be vigorously applied to the Provincial Government to re-institute Mental Health and Drug Treatment Centres!

Mental Health and Drug Addiction are real big problems Keith. They deserve real big solutions. Small towns are ill equipped to handle this. As evidenced by the brain dead decision to sport drug tents on private property – with absolutely zero consideration for neighbouring homes.

What will have to happen before you think it a problem Keith?

Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
Reply to  Kathleen
1 year ago

Drug addiction is an increasing problem, harm reduction is but one tool to use in saving lives. Just like you noticed already the problem with drug abuse and addiction exists now- well before any harm reduction tent has been set up. Again the Harm reduction site is only about harm reduction. They do not provide drugs to anyone. The attendees must bring their own.

Kathleen
Reply to  Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 year ago

Linda, One needs only to do a Google search to learn that there is a Government Sanctioned application process to apply to, to run a Safe, Supervised Consumprion site.
Michief Missy and her gang have decidedly gone rogue and believe they are above the law.
Our DM, who abstained from the Mayor’s motion to request these un-sanctioned sites follow the law, gave the excuse that she hadn’t done her due diligence in “researching” the topic. (Insert eye roll here).

Whether you feel these sites are beneficial or not, there is the lawful way or Missy’s way.

Sandpiper
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

Back in the day we were afraid to leave the British . Chateau or the Plaza Hotels
for fear the Police would grab you for some form of Inebriation , public intoxication and if you bothered anyone Drunk and Disorderly. You aalso had to have full I D .
Now our Council meets at Kelley’s — at least the last few councils did .

You know the thing that bothers me the most is that these people receive Benefits form the
Tax Paid system Food , Medical & Shelter +++ they can earn an extra $900. – per month Supposedly if these funds are Not used as intended ????
Then these poor supported soles Can and should be Cut Off Benefits .
Why and who is not seeing to it that these individuals are using these funds for their betterment
not their habit ?? Some other Tax Paid employee I suppose .

Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
Reply to  Sandpiper
1 year ago

Cutting people off the pennies they have will only increase criminal activity….

Sandpiper
Reply to  Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 year ago

May be maybe Not
right now life for some seems to lack certain elements of responsibility for them selves and fellow man kind .
Failure to Launch in many cases and failure to abide by
common rules and Law thats why many are no longer welcome at many a shelter or affordable housing facility .

Informed
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

Your approach is about 20 years late.

Bob
Reply to  Keith Oliver
1 year ago

Add to the “mass hysteria” one more term: “moral panic.”

Dragonfly Insight
1 year ago

You have a choice in life…. You either come from a place of love or come from a place of fear. Of late, all I seem to read about in this column is the latter. I worked in the Out of the Cold program in Toronto for years. and now the Food Bank here and quickly learned we have much more in common with those that are marginalized and homeless than we have different. If you take a moment to say hello to that homeless backpacker or dishevelled person “taking up” a bench on King Street, you’ll discover that like you, most just want to be seen and accepted. They didn’t ask to be in their situation.

The answer to problems of homelessness and drug addiction isn’t more bylaws, police engagement or safe injection sites. We need a new Community Wellness and Safety Council, involving every level of government, every community service provider and keenly entrepreneurial and dare I say marginalized citizen to work together creatively- thinking outside the box to come up with fresh solutions and ideas that meet everyone’s needs in the community.

In the meantime, I continue to enjoy and feel safe downtown at any time of day when I remember to come from a place of love,

Newbie
Reply to  Dragonfly Insight
1 year ago

Some have both. Loads of love for our fellow humans. And genuine fear.

Love for all humans. Fear of behaviours that have been seen to be exhibited many, many times by drug use.

Dave
Reply to  Dragonfly Insight
1 year ago

The drug addicts I knew in the area I grew up in Toronto and I doubt things have changed Dragonfly –
The two girls who lived across the street from where I worked – high all the time – one was dancing in the road – was hit and killed by a car, the other took it into her head she could fly and went off the balcony.
The addict who ran a fence selling stolen goods, high volume
Beginning to use drugs another supplied the fence with prolific boosting from stores
The addict who served time for armed robbery – later washed up on the shores of Lake Ontario
The addict who sold all his mother’s possessions while she was in hospital – died later of an overdose
The addict who prostituted herself for drugs – happen to see her in recent years – still doing drugs
The addict who made his drug money selling drugs and was murdered in a drug rip off – his rip off
On a gentler note the father of a friend – a phamaceutical product salesman, got hooked on his own miracle products – upper class – he didn’t want to quit either
There are many more examples of people I knew then and in the halfway house I ran. It is unfortunate I did not hear the words I want to quit when I spoke with them, they had no desire to change. Finding things in common Dragonfly – perhaps you can in minor ways but not in lifestyle. I served them for years where I worked and knew them well.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dave
Marilyn
1 year ago

I understand that these people suffering from addiction and mental health issues need help and I hope it is being offered to them, but we also have a right to feel safe to walk about our town. I have come across so many of these people who are down right scary with their erratic behaviours. Since moving to Cobourg over 9 years ago, I have seen the downtown deteriorate with the number of these people hanging around and crime increase. There is no easy solution, but we need to take back our town.

Newbie
1 year ago

More clean needles and pipes for heroin, crack cocaine, crystal meth and fentanyl…at no cost.

If I were a user from another community, I would come to cobourg for these free, clean tools!

And the dealers will follow where their customer base is.

How are the drugs paid for, if the users can’t work because they are too tweaked out and stoned? What do they do all day?

Dealers go to Narcotics and Alcohol Anonymous Meetings. Some users sneak lethal drugs into rehabilitation facilities… which has also jeopardized peoples chances of getting clean!

Dirty needles found in our children’s playgrounds…having to do a ‘dirty, lethal needle search’ in sandboxes to protect our children beforehand.

Users found sleeping in private children’s play-set, on their own private property…found by the children! Terrifying them in the morning…needles found. Right beside the warming room.
Madness.

Elizabeth Greaves
Reply to  Newbie
1 year ago

The Needle Exchange Programme opened in Toronto in the early 1980’s, as I recall. We were sceptical about this, but early research showed that more needles were collected, than were given out for use. Were the addicts making an effort to be safer of others, as well as themselves?
There is a good deal of relevant research and information on the problems we face in Cobourg, and elsewhere, on the “Homeless Hub”, based at York University. If interested in learning more – please google the site – it contains both history, and current efforts and issues.

Newbie
1 year ago

We moved to Cobourg because my sister has lived here for over 6 years and we have seen it as a safe, friendly community…and many other reasons!

We love Cobourg and are proud residents.

We have compassion and empathy toward all humans…including drug users.
Erecting injection sites in our downtown is not a good idea. I do not have a solution.

My young ones were asking what they were doing in the tents at the Covert parking lot on Friday. How do I explain this to them?? I worry for their safety, as well as the elderly’s safety.

When intoxicated, we are not ourselves and can act in irrational, confusing, rude, intimidating, sometimes violent ways —FACTS. (As well as personal experiences and encounters).

We are concerned for our children and our elderly.

WHY do they have to be exposed to these drug induced behaviours?? The majority of us taxpayers are subjected to these potential behaviours with no say?? We pay for police, health, fire and EMS…we should have a well advertised Town Hall meeting on this subject…there is a need for change on behalf of All of Us humans living in Cobourg.

These tents may work in large cities (with fewer families and elderly) I don’t know…but being subjected to the above mentioned behaviours is not why I moved here.

This is supposed to be ‘Ontario’s Feel Good Town’. And it does not feel good or safe right now.

Old Sailor
1 year ago

The proliferation of the homeless/drug addicts in Cobourg is happening so quickly. And everyone with the power to control this situation is immobilized. They prefer overcoming this problem with collaboration, education, inclusion and all of the other Magic Words our left wing politicians now embrace. And for God’s sake, don’t use law enforcement on these miscreants. That is contrary to our Charter of Rights. If you live near the downtown area the homeless are everywhere from sunrise to sunset. You almost need to arm yourself when you take out your garbage Tuesday morning, in case two or more of these creatures stop on their bicycles and fight over who has the Right to pick through your blue box first. The Town should consider changing the name “Cobourg Heritage District” to “Cobourg Slum District” on all the downtown street signs. Missy Mischievous has more Rights than Cobourg taxpayers, and she knows it. I never thought I would have to consider moving out of Cobourg to feel safe again.

Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

The Chief of Police is using the lame excuse that the enabling of the use of illegal drugs in these tents is on private property whereas reports about last Fridays tent say it was Covert Street parking lot behind Teresa Rickerby’s Pet Store. I don’t believe this is private property and there is no reason the police can’t enforce the law there. Rumour has it the same location will be used this Friday. If I were in town I’d be checking this out at 7pm and if the tent is there, I’d be calling the police. We need to take back our town and the police must be forced to do their jobs. Letters from downtown citizens and businesses have said how serious an issue this is and the police do nothing! A letter from CPSB says the law will be enforced against unsanctioned sites and this is one.

Newbie
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
1 year ago

From what I understand, ‘some’ store owners fully support these sites. Owning a store…where are peoples priorities?

A few months ago a store owner was notified of a man one nite…using and masturbating in their storefront alcove.

The store owner became very angry at the person who told her, virtue signalling and ridiculing the person who was trying to help her…and suggest she look for needles and be aware.

Last edited 1 year ago by Newbie
Lemon Cake
1 year ago

Do we know where this site is going to be?

Give me a break
Reply to  Lemon Cake
1 year ago

Apparently according to the CPB there is nothing that can be done if it is on a private property ……. How about the nearby neighbors do they have a say ….. I guess moving forward we don’t need Town permission to do anything on our own private property ….. where is the County and Public health …. The police in Cobourg are soft here in my opinion ….. I do not hear bout any effort to get the drug dealers out of Cobourg ……

Cobourger
Reply to  Give me a break
1 year ago

but so well paid and definitely against a merged county force . . .

Kyle
Reply to  Cobourger
1 year ago

Time to pressure Council to change to OPP. They are going to detachment based Boards so that would eliminate the bunch cheerleaders we have now and the ill gotten connection to Venture 13. Police should be at arms length and enforce the laws. The OPP does all the heavy lifting on crime anyway. What are we really paying one of the highest costs of policing in the Province for?

Rational
Reply to  Kyle
1 year ago

I never thought I would support the OPP taking over responsibility for Cobourg, but after watching the inept performance of the Cobourg Police Services and the Cobourg Police Services Board and their lane reasoning for not acting, I am ready to change my mind.

Last edited 1 year ago by Rational
Sandpiper
Reply to  Give me a break
1 year ago

So Now it becomes a By Law enforcement issue
we have been pushed back and forth for over a year now between the Cobourg Police and Cobourg By Law Dept. over issues of encampments , Garbage left behind and Graffitti plus destruction of private property by these Vagrants .
Seems neither have a Job description
The property owners are threatened with Fines up to $50,000.00 and Work Orders from the ByLaw dept . but they never show up in time to React while the destruction is happening, same may as well be said for the police .
I hope this Person holding these Safe Injection sites has Lots of Public Liability Insurance
and a Huge Legal fund .

Silverhairedsenior
Reply to  Give me a break
1 year ago

Seems to me, if it were harder to get the drugs in Cobourg, the town were be a less attractive location for dealers. Rather than the major focus being on how to deal with mentally ill & addicted users, the police should be able to lay charges on traffickers. Senior women walking their dogs can identify dealers’ cars – so why can’t a heavy police presence result in charges being laid? Can municipal governments create stiff fines for drug trafficking?

Give me a break
Reply to  Silverhairedsenior
1 year ago

Maybe we need an undercover police woman to walk a dog …. Just saying

Lois
Reply to  Lemon Cake
1 year ago

Yes. Same place as last time.

marya
Reply to  Lemon Cake
1 year ago

The organizers will now likely be communicating this information using code words.

Pete M
1 year ago

Some well meaning community members and groups have decided they are going to become the lead champions for the homeless and the addicted.

Unfortunately their strategy and approach is having an unintended consequence-creating a downtown that law abiding residents are apprehensive to work, shop and play it.

The downtown is transitioning to an area where rules are made up as you go along. Accountability for ones actions
is absent, illegal behaviour is accepted and excused and in some cases indulged. Enforcement of the laws in this area of Cobourg is a last resort option for the Police.

This is a social experiment going wrong. Without laws and good discipline our community’s safety and well being is in jeopardy

Give me a break
Reply to  Pete M
1 year ago

How many Mental Health workers, Nurses, EMS and Doctors are involved in this experiment ?

Pete M
Reply to  Give me a break
1 year ago

EMS is clean up on the streets.
Nurses and Dr’s involved if the person is fortunate enough to make alive to the ER

Jade
Reply to  Give me a break
1 year ago

Absolutely nine. Just KITS available. Let’s invite all addicted people

Newbie
Reply to  Jade
1 year ago

What about Crisis Prevention Intervention Certification?

PSWs and CSWs require this when working in group homes.

Perhaps the whole town should be certified??

Lois
Reply to  Give me a break
1 year ago

If nurses are there then they better call the college of nurses. Wouldn’t want to lose their registration.