Police Chief reports on Shopping Cart Retrieval Project

On the Victoria Day holiday, Chief Paul VandeGraaf issued three Press Releases updating Police actions on their “Dynamic Patrol” as part of their “Downtown Action Plan”. One reported that 83 stolen shopping carts were recovered, 53 of these were from the encampment; the second reported an arrest of a woman with a stolen Winners cart containing stolen property; the third reported the arrest of a woman shoplifting downtown. More details are available below. These all happened on May 18 and 19. From this we can be assured that Police are active on weekends and that the shopping cart retrieval project has been successful with a large number retrieved from the encampment. No charges were laid relating to the retrieval of stolen shopping carts although Chief VandeGraaf said that “Moving forward charges may be laid in these instances”.

Summary of Press releases.

Preface for all cases

Since May 1, 2024, the 2024 Downtown Action Plan comprises a series of proactive crime prevention measures alongside ongoing harm reduction programs. Enforcement of laws and regulations will be a critical focus, particularly in interactions requiring direct intervention due to specific actions or behaviours of individuals.

Dynamic patrol – Shopping Cart Retrieval Project

As part of ongoing proactive engagement and enforcement efforts during the week of May 13 culminating on May 18 members of Cobourg Police Service focused on the retrieval of stolen shopping carts. Over the course of the week, 83 shopping carts were recovered, 53 carts were recovered within the encampment. All shopping carts were returned to the rightful store. The value of these shopping carts is between $600 to $2000 each. A conservative estimate is that approximately $50,000 in stolen property was recovered.

During this initiative there were no charges laid for theft or possession of stolen property. Moving forward charges may be laid in these instances.

Dynamic patrol leads to possession of stolen property arrest

As part of ongoing proactive engagement and enforcement efforts, members of Uniform Patrol on May 19, 2024, observed a female in the downtown in possession of a Winners shopping cart. The individual was stopped, and the stolen property was seized to be returned to rightful owner.

As result of this investigation, Maria Raycraft, 32 years of Cobourg was arrested and released to a future court date. She is charged with:

  1. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime contrary to section 355(b) of the Criminal Code

Dynamic patrol leads to theft, possession of property and breach of probation arrest

On May 18, 2024, members of the Cobourg Police Service were called to a store in the downtown in relation to a theft in progress. Members attended and located the party responsible for the theft. Some of the property was recovered at the time of the arrest.

As result of this investigation, Jillian Nolan, 40 years of age of Cobourg was arrested and held for a Show Cause Hearing May 19, 2024. She is charged with:

  1. Theft Under $5000 -Shoplifting Contrary to Section 334(b) of the Criminal Code
  2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Contrary to Section 355(b) of the Criminal Code
  3. Fail to Comply with Probation S. 733.1 (1) of the Criminal Code x 2 Counts

It’s good to see these timely reports of our Police in action.  However, I note that there are monthly reports to the Board that get little visibility. You need to go to the escribe agendas of the Board here: go to Past Meetings, then Cobourg Police Services Board, choose a meeting, click Agenda HTML and look for “Monthly Operational report”. Unfortunately this does not seem to be available every month. The most recent report is for February available in the March Agenda. Download directly here.

Addendum – 22 May

Police provided four reports on action taken as part of their Downtown Action Plan

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m., police received a report of theft in progress at a business in the area of King Street and Division Street in the Town of Cobourg.
It was reported that an individual entered the store and obtained items, leaving the premises without attempting to pay. Police located the individual in possession of the stolen merchandise, which was returned to the store.
As a result of the investigation, 40-year-old Jillian Nolan of Cobourg was arrested and charged with theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and two counts of failing to comply with probation order.
The accused was held for a bail hearing and subsequently remanded into custody.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:30 pm, police on general patrol in the downtown area observed an individual riding a bicycle pulling a blue shopping cart.
Police arrested Cara BRUINS, a 40-year-old female from Cobourg, for possessing a shopping cart. During a search incident to arrest, the accused was found in possession of a small quantity of fentanyl. As a result of the investigation, the accused was charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Possession of a Schedule 1 substance – fentanyl.
The accused was released on an undertaking with a future court in June 2024.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 5:37 am, police were dispatched to the area of William St. and Heath Street in relation to a personal welfare check.
Police attended and located the male in possession of a shopping cart full of copper wire and power tools. Michael Herdman, a 37-year-old male from Cobourg, was arrested and charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
The accused was released on an undertaking with a future court in June 2024.
Police continued their investigation and determined that some of the property was stolen from a break and enter overnight at a construction site in the north end of Cobourg. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges are anticipated.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 11:52 a.m., police were dispatched to the downtown area of Cobourg near Division Street and King Street in relation to a male being threatened. Police determined that the accused had threatened and assaulted two individuals who were not known to him. The victims did not require medical attention.
As a result of the police investigation, Daniel Annesley (55) from Cobourg was arrested and charged with Assault, Uttering Threats, Cause Disturbance, Breach of Probation, and being Intoxicated in a public place (Liquor License Control Act 2019).
The accused was released on conditions with a future court date in June 2024.

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Leslie
1 month ago

Dear JanB,

  • Murder
  •  Attempted Murder 
  •  Shovel fight in broad daylight 
  •  Axe fights
  •  Children being attacked and stalked
  •  Spit on, screamed/ yelled at
  •  Intimidated
  •  Drug Trafficking 
  •  Overdoses
  •  Unprovoked Violent attacks
  •  Hatchet attack in store
  •  Arson (s)
  •  Gun seizures
  •  Crossbow and 2×4 attack
  •  Deadly drug use openly
  •  Security guards being poisoned by drugs
  •  Break and Enters
  •  Bicycle thefts
  •  Children and elderly harassed
  •  Deadly needles and pipes
  •  Deaths
  •  No place to use toilet, now drug huts
  •  Stalking
  •  People walking into traffic
  •  Defecating on sidewalks
  •  Drugs being sold to high school children

 *I could go on…
 
None are misinformation. Also disagreeing is not complaining or whining.

Sandy
Reply to  Leslie
1 month ago

Well said. Time to start protesting, enough of this crime riddled, drug and vermin infested encampment. Time to get tough, time to protect our children, time to stand up for families and yes,the environment. Say no to crime, drugs and the Waterloo decision. Homelessness does not have to equate with all of the above, give a helping hand to those who want it, otherwise, get out of town.

JanB
Reply to  Sandy
1 month ago

Yeah! Start protesting!!!
Become frantic! Cause an annoying disturbance! Walk into the streets. Shout louder!! Offer to pay more for services! Say NO to crime, drugs an…huh. Wait a minute. Isn’t that what’s been going on? And how’s that working for you?

JanB
Reply to  Leslie
1 month ago

It’s like complete exaggeration but good for you. Understanding that drug: trafficking; overdoses; deadly drug use; (redundant) needles and pipes; drug huts; also all redundant are a given with an epidemic. Understand that I am not blind to the horror of social addiction — but it’s very disturbing to read your account of ie: people walking into traffic ( so many jaywalkers how can you determine the difference); defecating on sidewalk ( ooh, the careless folks who think no ones watching the poo as they sheepishly rush their pets along); intimidation from “drunken” passengers driving by and, some may not like this, but it’s more like (sharing) in on the drugs as it was back in the hippy days! Have you ever needed to blatantly watch the drug sale between dealer and high school student?…and make a citizen arrest? Shame if not.
Child stalking?! (disgruntled custody partners??) Weapons as gruesome as an axe (like, I don’t know…collecting firewood?) And how would a security guard WILLINGLY be poisoned?
My point is, that by escalating one offs — okay, maybe two — and assuming the afflicted are ALWAYS the culprits — is creating a false sense of society that may or may not be with or without drug use. What I find more disturbing as we all try to just “do us” — is the fear factor You feel…and fearful folks become more fearful…spreading like wildfire.

I’d need an extensive record of incidence and reliable proof before I slander anything. It’s easy to write “None are misinformation” ….a quote that is in itself criminal. Hearsay is misinformation.

Leslie
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

Go to Cobourg Police website, or Today’s Northumberland. Everything listed above is documented, and then some. Thank goodness truth & light are shed on these evil realities.

No exaggerating or misinformation. Truth & facts can be a hard pill for people to swallow.

We live in dark times, but a defeatist attitude, such as “oh well” or “this is happening everywhere” or “a sign of the times” is weak & wretched.

Leslie
Reply to  Leslie
1 month ago

JanB,

When the Police document the list of Truths provided above — it is not Criminal.

JanB
Reply to  Leslie
1 month ago

However, I believe you disagree.

Leslie
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

I do not disagree with my own comment, that is silly & presumptuous.

Rather, you have stated the Police Reports are hearsay, misinformation, exaggerations & criminal.

Perpetual jeering & acerbic pronouncements unremittingly this day are tedious & antagonizing.

Kevin
Reply to  Leslie
1 month ago

Leslie, it seems you are not alone in your opinion of JanB’s comments. I think what is happening is there have been so many complaints that the police and politicians are reacting in a way contrary to what supporters of the homeless/addicts have been advocating. For some people, perhaps JanB I don’t know, it can be very difficult to accept the majority do not share their views. The majority in Cobourg want the police to make arrests, and they are. Taking shopping carts away makes life a little more difficult for a homeless person and maybe that will get them closer to accepting help. For supporters this opinion might have them questioning their own ideas. Kind of like a believer of the earth being flat finally understanding it is not. The earth is not flat, drug addicts need to get off drugs.

JanB
Reply to  Leslie
1 month ago

On one hand, there are comments frustrated with the police not sharing. To me, that relays : not serious, or, so much for…truth and light. (?)
Heresay is an overview of what was reported or spoken out of turn; again, “not reporting” (reported) is a hard pill for those to swallow who create drama for the sake of alarm. Right fighters.
We do not live in dark times. (I would classify COUNTRIES at war as dark times, for example)
So, being enveloped in vulnerability as is: “oh well…dark times!” And wretched? is falling prey to be victimized when strength can be worked on through professional counselling.

Leslie
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

JanB,

Cobourg Police Services is not reporting scuttlebutt. Anyone can look up the “extensive record”. The Cobourg Police do not report serious criminal incidents to “create alarm or drama”.

If you do not believe the above crimes are exemplary of dark times, that is your belief. (All within approximately 1 year).

I agree, being shrouded in danger and being a victim of the above crimes is traumatizing.

I am pleased our Police are now taking this seriously. Naming criminals, laying charges, enforcing Law & Order.

Awareness supports our community to steer clear (not becoming a Victim of crime) therefore, not requiring professional counseling. Proactive Policing, not reactive.

Sonya
Reply to  Leslie
1 month ago

Now I’m wondering if JanB lives in Cobourg or if she has children if she’s unaware of the drug use and criminal activity that is taking over Cobourg. Kids are afraid to walk to school past these criminal drugs Addicts fighting in the streets.
Her idea is to send them to councilling? Dirty needles and drug paraphanalia in our kids school yards and children’s playgrounds. I belong to a group of Cobourg citizens and we are documenting all the crimes that are happening in Cobourg that we know of. We have pictures and videos. Sit down JanB and watch the show that you’re so unaware of.

Ken Strauss
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

“I’d need an extensive record of incidences…”

JanB, perhaps you need numerous incidences but for me even a single unpunished incident of any of the listed crimes is too many. 

Last edited 1 month ago by Ken Strauss
Rational
Reply to  Davet
1 month ago

Google the women’s name. What shows up are articles on an arrest in 2020 and 2021 for illegal drug possession, weapon, drug trafficking. Also two reports where the women was on the delegation presenting the need for Tiny Homes supported by NSCC and GWC to Cobourg Council in Dec 2022.

This is the type of person that is living at the encampment and why the Encampment needs to be cleaned out. And why comments from Encampment supporters carry no weight.

Leslie
Reply to  Rational
1 month ago
Sonya
Reply to  Davet
1 month ago

Sorry, I put a thumbs down by mistake. I believe this woman won’t be allowed back into the encampment as well as the mayor of the encampment. The people they assaulted still live at there. Actually it’s good news. Two less at the encampment. I’m sure there will be lots more people assaulting each other at this location before the summers over. I hope it’s reported to the authorities.

JanB
1 month ago

I think there’s too much complaining about the police service and the police chief and the mayor. Seriously, move elsewhere and stop whining. OR – move elsewhere and find out first hand how what’s happening here is happening everywhere….not that this makes it right; it’s just the restrictions on who and what can be done is the problem. I have a Birds Eye View and a lot of examples are exaggeration. And before you get started, I have no affiliation with any of those in charge.
Be vigilant, stop the spread of misinformation and…enough of the slandering and immature insults just because you don’t like those in charge. It’s so blatant that you just don’t like them. Grow up.

Rob
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

JanB – I asked in an earlier post if anyone could tell me something positive that the Mayor and Council have done that improves the everyday life of taxpayers in Cobourg? Perhaps you can help stop the spread of misinformation and immature whining found in this group and give us an example or two of ways your life has improved in Cobourg during the last 18 months or so.

JanB
Reply to  Rob
1 month ago

It’s up to us to improve our everyday life.
You’re not a..child, are you? Come to think about it, children have more empathy, especially when they are respected and respectful of those in pain. Or, bad times.
Maybe try to look at the Mayor and Coucil in a positive viewpoint for a while ( whoh, that’s a thought!) and put on the rose-coloured glasses to help you SEE how and what they can do, can’t do, and have done.
I’m not your keeper and neither are elected officials. Papers are pushed, pens are ready but its NOT THAT EASY to take on a town with selfish egos expecting joy to be served daily.

Cobourg taxpayer
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

What spread of misinformation are you referring to? I guarantee you every single piece of information I and my neighbours who all have birds eye views have posted is accurate. The cops have done nothing about theft and open drug use until very recently and now mostly stolen shopping carts. I can think of many other ways to spend $7.5 million then cops picking up carts or how about cookie decorating, collecting food, jumping in the lake, selfies on the beach? I would LOVE to move elsewhere but due to proximity to the squatters I can not sell. How about actual law enforcement or is that beyond your birds eye view?

Kevin
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

JanB other than move and stop complaining do you have any suggestions that will actually help? I hope you realize your complaining about complaining and stating others are spreading misinformation isn’t any better behaviour than me and the many other people posting. The crimes, violence and drugs we have been complaining about have been verified by the four police reports in the addendum of this post. We do not want these things happening. When they do happen we want the police to arrest and charge the criminals. I thank the police for doing so. If the police keep doing this and the court system follows up appropriately then things can improve.

JanB
Reply to  Kevin
1 month ago

Hi Kevin! See ‘reply to Rob’ above!
Ditto.

Sandpiper
1 month ago

While shopping in Port Hope yesterday I ran into some other Cobourg Neighbours They were laughing about the New Police Force Division
The Dynamic Patrol headed up by BATMAN & Robin The original Dynamic Duo is that the Police Chief & Mayor

I think our once was ” never to be the same again ”
Town has become a Social JOKE

Kate
Reply to  Sandpiper
1 month ago

Actually the mayor is not bad. It’s the police chief plus some council members.

JanB
Reply to  Sandpiper
1 month ago

At least they were laughing.
How bad can it be.

Lemon Cake
1 month ago

My kids are at CCI and there are now groups of kids that head over to the encampment to access drugs during the school day. So one can assume there’s active dealing happening. Plus public drug use. I think the reason why folks are unhappy with shopping carts as a headline initiative for the police is that things have become so unbelievably bad in this town. The encampment needs to go. Cobourg has had drugs and mental health issues for a few years – but the encampment is next level. It needs to be bulldozed the way Toronto has bulldozed its encampments in the last year – these are hard times for everyone and homelessness is awful – but the encampment is no one’s solution.

Cobourg taxpayer
Reply to  Lemon Cake
1 month ago

I have seen large groups of CCI students smoking pot at the Sidbrook during lunch break then headed back to school. I am so glad I don’t teach anymore!

JanB
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
1 month ago

No surprise there. It’s nothing new, right? Maybe start taking notice of your neighbours. Adults truly enjoy this activity and possibly their children are underestimated on what they know, suspect and…find to pinch!

Sonya
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
1 month ago

This is true and school board members have been notified.

Davet
Reply to  Lemon Cake
1 month ago

We need leadership from all levels of government.Not what they cannot do. Shut down access to the site People can leave but cannot get in. Piccini office finally answered me after a couple of attempts The rep stated they cannot do anything. I asked the Piccini rep what the plan was to remove them. She stated they are waiting for the land to be sold. Referred me to the Waterloo ruling.
She all told me she cannot change my mind on the issue, she can only give me the facts. I told them they must do something. They do not understand impact on the town of Cobourg. Crime and open drug use . She stated they understand and believe it or not she apologized for the situation. Lip service no action.

Piccini must be too busy to answer himself.
No help at all!

Dave
Reply to  Davet
1 month ago

Hope this helps Dave. The Environment Office which Brookside is on is not under the control of Piccini or other provincial bodies. They are an oganization unto themselves. They are the same as the Landlord Tenant Board excluded from control of Provincial offices.
What we do need is for the Federal government to reverse their governing Bills which they have brought forth which makes it illegal to remove these sites. Perhaps they will as they are experiencing a great drop in the polls and are now reversing many of their prior decisions. Until recently they said housing is not their responsibility, they were standing in the way of B.C. reversing their disasterous legalization of drugs and then changed their mind encouraging the reversal. They are now belatedly becoming active on hiring more Border/Customs personnel and stating they will increase deterinents in car theft and car jackings after ignoring the vast problem it has become. I write to inform as next year their is a Federal Election and after all the misery they have made us live with with their ridiculous laws and blind eye I would never trust them again.

Not Understanding
Reply to  Davet
1 month ago

My experience with Mr Piccini’s office has been the same as yours on countless issues – the lack of advocacy by this office is puzzling until you wonder if some politicians are grooming themselves for higher office as opposed to getting down and dirty trying to work things out for the good of their constituents.

It is my understanding that the land the encampment is on is managed by Infrastructure Ontario. In correspondence they have made it clear that they are ONLY prepared to work with Social Services agencies and not take further action. Are these people who sit in their cosy ‘ivory towers’ and have no concept or concern about the consequences of this encampment on the town and the issues associated with it?

It appears that the Provincial government are the ones that seem to be allowing this to continue – it appears that their stance on encampments is that they are AOK (leave them be) – I wonder if some of the leaders involved are afraid of bad press?

I’m not sure I want to elect people that think that this kind of situation and inaction is AOK – and this also applies to Cobourg Council members.

There are better ways to deal with this situation. Is anyone in government listening and willing to do the right thing??

Dave
Reply to  Not Understanding
1 month ago

Thank you – Infrastructure Ontario is the office and as stated above are not under the control of elected officals – please see above.
Piccini when the encampment was located at the Beach and offered Cobourg by-law the ability to remove it and therefore something could be done Not Understanding Piccini was one of the first government elected people to attend, view and state they are breaking the law and gave his full public support to Cobourg Council to put their full force into its removal. Hope this assists you Piccini has ensured Cobourg receives large financial help from the Province on various undertakings.

Rational
Reply to  Not Understanding
1 month ago

Speaking of cozy ivory towers take a look at Pete Fisher’s article in TodaysNorthumberland. The picture kind of says it all and the non response about the Encampment.

Dave
Reply to  Rational
1 month ago

I don’t know from that article what Ivory Tower you are speaking of unless it is the fact that there is little the lower levels of government can do with regard to the encampment problem. The Feds are your Ivory Tower Rational. All lower levels of government are strapped by Federal laws which supercede anything. You are looking at all levels below the Liberal Feds which have enabled the inability of anyone to do a thing about the encampments. All major cities have them like fleas on a dog’s back across the nation in all provincial jurisdictions and none of them can solve the problem due to the ridiculous laws the Feds have made in their Ivory Tower. Some of us are not understanding who has created the problem and in anger lash out at any government body other than the correct one.

JanB
Reply to  Lemon Cake
1 month ago

“One came assume” Perhaps your kid(s) alongside the other kids accessing drugs could have you on standby and get to the scene as quickly as possible! Proactive!

JanB
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

…that should read “can” assume

Ray
1 month ago

Used needles washing into the creek after rains is a significant problem. As is finding broken glass and needles in playgrounds. The CPS risks an uptick in vigilantism if these realities don’t get addressed.

Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
Reply to  Ray
1 month ago

speaking of threats

Sonya
Reply to  Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 month ago

Oh please.

Ray
Reply to  Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 month ago

Hi Linda, I am an old man who is a threat to no one. I have lived a long life and seen the ebbs and flows of police response or lack thereof. What I hear and read is a frustration from otherwise law-abiding people. Societies don’t prosper when vigilantes take over, however, when the established authorities fail to respond some individuals take matters into their own hands. Hence, a risk, not a certainty. And not from me personally.

Beachwalker
1 month ago

They missed one. I drove by it at 8am today. On King St. By the creek. Kids,walking to school, walked around it. The police need to do a better job.

Sonya
Reply to  Beachwalker
1 month ago

Actually that cart was reported to I H.A.R.C. By the time they got there the cart was gone.
I think it showed up again yesterday with stolen property in it. I do notice that people with shopping carts in their possession are now being charged.

JanB
Reply to  Beachwalker
1 month ago

Oh my…a shopping cart!!!
(thought you were talking about a needle; those kids are probably still having nightmares!!)

Sonya
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

Actually I.H.A.R.C also picks up dirty needles and drug paraphanalia. Do you have a problem with that also?
Those carts have been stolen. Do you know how much one cart is worth? Do you like your grocery bills going up to pay form these carts?
Did you know that druggies go out in the night with their carts and steal our property?
Do you know how many carts police found and retrieved from the encampment?
I still don’t think you live in Cobourg. You seem to be out of touch with the reality of Cobourg problems with crime and violence.

rod
1 month ago

Hearing more frequent sirens last couple weeks (counted 14 on Sun) Is CPS sounding siren at every intersection when picking up carts etc. Or Is this just a way in giving public awareness of their work load? Is it really necessary to use of up to three cars with sirens blaring for one call? Very annoying for such a small town as (Cobourg The Feel Good Friendly to Freeloaders Town)

JanB
Reply to  rod
1 month ago

Oh geez.
Cobourg: Respond. Don’t respond. Pick one.
But don’t start telling them how to do the job.

Lesley
Reply to  JanB
1 month ago

I’ll pick don’t respond. #consequences Also, no free naloxone.

East ender
1 month ago

Cobourg police seems to release accused names when it comes to thier dynamic patrol initiative but not others who commit crime outside that area.
We all should know who is committed the crimes and where.

Marc
Reply to  East ender
1 month ago

…says someone who doesn’t publish their name…

East ender
Reply to  Marc
1 month ago

I haven’t committed any crimes in my lifetime.

Marc
Reply to  East ender
1 month ago

All the more reason to come out of the closet😉

Rob
Reply to  Marc
1 month ago

If East ender published their name and it was Marc or Jay or Al would that make you happy? lol

Seems rather trivial, no?

Frenchy
Reply to  Marc
1 month ago

Hey Marc (if that’s your real name), are you only half out of the closet by not telling us your last name?

Bill Thompson
Reply to  East ender
1 month ago

Not to mention no action taken upon drug dealers .

Jade
1 month ago

LOL great few articles John. You sure have a way of getting residents to comment LOL LOVE IT

Sonya
1 month ago

I like the fact that from now on if someone is caught with a stolen cart they will be charged. If that person has outstanding warrants from another town or city then they will be shipped back to that town or city. I’m hoping this will get rid of some of our encampment people. Every little bit helps. If we can’t arrest them for drug use them arrest them for stolen carts. It reminds me of Al Capone type arrest.

Ken Strauss
Reply to  Sonya
1 month ago

If only that were true! Chief VandeGraaf said “Moving forward charges may be laid in these instances”. Not will be laid.

Sonya
Reply to  Ken Strauss
1 month ago

That’s true. Let’s hope they will be laid. I know one person has been charged since the round up.

Gerry
1 month ago

One of my supervisors said daily, “What you permit, you promote.” Years of ignoring these thefts led to people believing nobody cared if they took one for extended periods; now, the police say enough is enough. As soon as this pet project is done and dusted, these shopping carts will return to the backyards, the encampment, and a stream near you.

Jade
Reply to  Gerry
1 month ago

You said it perfectly. Summer visitation is why this is being done.

Joh
Reply to  Gerry
1 month ago

So 83 carts are stolen and 53 recovered in a publicity stunt . So the change from Police force to Police service has its true meaning. We now pay the police for garbage collection !
How is it that in all the main streets not one of these 53 carts was observed being pushed from the Supermarkets down the streets of Cobourg ,or is theft Blind to our police chief?. Oh of course soon the enablers will be using their illegally park trucks and vans to run a Food Bank delivery service and again waste will be evident.The systems needs altering.
its time for s few warrents to be issued and sniffer dogs sent in to ferret out the drug deliveries
Be assured that the detectives in the town know the delivery days and the dealers
lets start tough love , we are just to complacent and somehow seem to let the problems grow rather than eradicate them .
it

Andre
1 month ago

Price check: Walmart carts cost WMT about $60 in bulk, not $600-$2000. You can also get an idea of pricing on Alibaba.com. Of course, it would cost you far more to metal-fab your own.

Theft of carts remains theft.
Theft using carts as conveyance remains theft.
It’s courteous of the police to return the 53 encampment carts to make room for more.

Rosie
Reply to  Andre
1 month ago

They also include the merchandise that the cart can hold for a number of customers per day.

Mark Mills
1 month ago

Am I the only one who is shaking my head in disbelief? ” SHOPPING CART RETRIEVAL PROJECT” is this a priority??? I do understand the importance to those businesses who own the carts however between this and writing parking tickets in Hamilton Twp. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! With the open use of illegal drugs , resident’s property being stolen, assualts , threats ,vagrancy, etc etc PEOPLE FEEL UNSAFE and you want to retieve shopping carts and write parking tickets ????? Is this is what our $7.5m a year get us? If the police service board support this, then it is time for Mr.Kerr and the rest of the board to move on!!!

BTW ….I understand a parent reported their 12 year old was approached by “residents” of the encampment and asked to give up his bike when riding to his friend’s house in the area of the encampment. This is the type of crap we need police to deal with. Tax paying families deserve to feel safe in this town. The shopping Carts and parked cars in another municipality can wait!!!!!!!

Borys
Reply to  Mark Mills
1 month ago

The police can do more than one thing at a time.

Mark Mills
Reply to  Borys
1 month ago

They better be doing more than one thing at a time with the millions of taxpayer dollars they get each year! I suggest the residents feel that the press releases should include strategies on how they are going to help us feel safe in town …..not how many shopping carts they recover or how many parking ticket in Hamilton Twp they write!!!!

Last edited 1 month ago by Mark Mills
John at resident
Reply to  Borys
1 month ago

Exactly, I for one support this the huge amount of shopping carts everywhere is an eye sore and a safety issue. If you live in a high shopping cart zone like I do you might agree. I get so tired of looking out my window and seeing I kid you not 3 abandoned carts.

mark mills
Reply to  John at resident
1 month ago

A quick call to the store they belong too will have them there quickly to retrieve them as they are expensive to replace (most have the name of the store on them) or a call to public works reporting abandon carts on town property and they should be removed. Believe me I know I called Metro and a truck was there within hours. Police resources are better spent than on SHOPPING CART REMOVAL

Jade
Reply to  Mark Mills
1 month ago

Oh how most of us agree

Jane
1 month ago

They tried the same here in North Bay – strollers, kids wagons, garden carts (especially the ones from the garden centers as they are heavy duty), lumber carts, mechanics tool carts – you name it, they are stolen – they work just as well as shopping carts … very sad.

Frenchy
1 month ago

Will the perps demand to get their dollar back for the No Frills carts?

Last edited 1 month ago by Frenchy
Frenchy
1 month ago

“Moving forward charges may be laid in these instances.”

Does that mean the cops might (or might not) lay charges for someone borrowing a cart?

Sandpiper
Reply to  Frenchy
1 month ago

Only if you have Net Worth

Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas
1 month ago

Thanks John for going to the trouble of sharing those links of police reports

Cobourg taxpayer
1 month ago

What is beyond infuriating is, if the police SERVICE had actually been doing their jobs a year ago, Cobourg would not be in the chaotic mess it is in today. The town has become known as a weak, no charges laid, no enforcement town where engagement and education come first. It is too late for the chief to save his name and reputation. The board and chief need to be fired and replaced asap.

beach lover
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
1 month ago

Deputy Mayor Beatty and Councillor Adam Bureau, who are Cobourg council’s representatives on the police board, also bear responsibility for misguided priorities, lack of enforcement and deterioration of our town. They should be replaced on the Police Services Board by persons who are able and willing to take action.

Liz
Reply to  beach lover
1 month ago

How many police officers in our town? At the salaries they are paid, I sure hope they do more than retrieve shopping carts. Who has to clean up these filthy carts after they have been, heaven knows where? The people who stole them should be made available for a clean up crew!!!If they do it again, CHARGE THEM. What kind of a deterrent is there if they don’t face consequences!

Not impressed
1 month ago

I have to ask, why haven’t these stolen property items (shopping carts etc . . . – that were clearly visible for years and obviously STOLEN) been collected before now – why did the police allow this theft for years??

I am at a loss to understand why for ‘years’ nothing has been done about all the thefts of these and other items that were in plain sight.

I will not applaud the Police Chief for his ‘initiative’ because it is a day late and a dollar short.

Allowing this behaviour for years has, in my opinion, emboldened a group of individuals to feel they are above the law.

Downtowner
Reply to  Not impressed
1 month ago

Agreed, a little late to finally address a totally brazen,visible, and nose thumbing crime which was always an arrestable offense.A shopping cart identifiable as property of a business, far from that establishment ,loaded with personal possessions was always a clear theft.l will hope though, that this is a new program of listening to those of us who have been consistent in pointing out the suffering of our neighbourhoods and the blind eye that has been turned away to show compassion will now be refocused to the realization that giving an inch has resulted in miles being taken in the wrong direction.

rod
1 month ago

Borrow a Library Book, return late pay a penalty. Borrow a Cart with pickup service, no penalty. Medal presentation ceremony is warranted for exemplary service above & beyond call of duty.( a pay raise might also be brought up at the same time) Can we all sleep better now? Don’t think so now they have to steal a car to haul the stolen stuff.