Editorial – Blog Versus Media

Pete Fisher
6 years ago
• Categories: Editorial

Editorial – Every now and then we believe at Today’s Northumberland it’s time to give updates on things.
To let people know, how it’s going, to ask how it’s going and to keep people apprised on issues.

Of late, and more recently, a press release from Cobourg Police Service recognized an error was made and Today’s Northumberland applaud them for owning up and making an effort to inform citizens about the issue.

The release also stated Today’s Northumberland is a “blog.”
Looking up the definition of the word it states, “a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.”
And looking up the word “media,” it states, “the main means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the Internet) regarded collectively.”

Frankly we don’t consider ourselves a blog.

There is nothing wrong with them, but we are accountable. Unless it states it is an editorial, these aren’t opinions on Today’s Northumberland. These are the facts that are presented to us. As stated from the beginning, we promise two things.

We will do our best to keep the public informed, and as hard as we try to be perfect, we won’t. There will be errors, however when they arise we promise to do our best to rectify them as quickly as possible.

In approximately three decades of photojournalism, you run across many types of personalities.
It comes with the territory. I, for one, love that. I love meeting people, hearing, sharing their stories. And helping to find out answers if and where possible.
We ask the hard questions people want to know. We are your trusted source for getting answers you deserve.
When news happens we try to be there to give the best possible coverage. People who support us deserve that.

For the last few years, we’ve reported on many items pertaining to the Cobourg Police Service.
Officers who are off for various reasons. At one time last year, at least half of the general patrol officers were off, mainly on various types of medical leave
It was very difficult getting the information confirmed, but eventually we got that information.

The newest acquisition to the service is a Corporate Communications Coordinator who is responsible for press releases and media inquiries.
For the most part, that’s probably a good thing. But for the size of the service, it’s debatable if it is warranted.
Port Hope Police Service doesn’t have one and it’s slightly smaller, but Northumberland OPP does have one and it has a compliment of 100 officers.

Regarding press releases it’s about being open and accountable to the public they serve.
No punches pulled. Just deliver the news in a timely accurate manner to the media/public.
On Monday, April 15, 2019 when a theft occurred at a local downtown, police were called but never showed up. It was only through contacting Today’s Northumberland and Cobourg Police reading the story were police aware of it.

What is the reason for it? Who knows. Previously, police were short staffed. In the past it was difficult to find the number of general patrol officers, it likely may prove difficult to find out if they are now at full compliment. Were they busy? That’s most likely a given. And there also could be a very logical, but unfortunate reason why it happened. At this stage, we simply don’t know.

To their credit, they stated, “The Cobourg Police take full responsibility for the oversight on this incident and have since tended to the matter,” which is correct.
But in speaking with the Communications Coordinator on Wednesday at 1 p.m. it was pointed out that along with finding out how the mistake happened 48-hours previously, it may be prudent to actually show up at the business and take a report regarding the theft.

Police did – 20 minutes after the conversation with Today’s Northumberland.

In the release it also indicated police have launched an, “ internal investigation to find and mitigate the root cause of this.”
Again, this is great news. No person, business or organization is perfect. Mistakes happen. Best to find out and solve the matter.
But given the admission of the “oversight” Today’s Northumberland would like to know at the least if the mistake happened at the dispatch centre in Owen Sound, or something at the police service itself. That should be simple enough given the admission police stated.
We’ve asked – no reply.

Lastly on April 11, a release was issued by the police stating the Town of Cobourg Council Approves Cobourg Police Services Budget.
Some of the highlights pointed out in the release are a savings of $25,000 to the municipality. It might not be very significant, but any savings to taxpayers should be applauded.

Further in the release it states about new items within the 2019 portion of the budget including the creation of a Special Constable Forensics Identification Officer.
“In the past, this position was contracted out when the work of an FIO was required for such things as crime scene investigation, costing the CPS everytime.”

And further it states, the Cobourg Police Services FIO will be an in-house task, saving CPS “time and money.”

Reaching out to the Port Hope Police Service, they stated they have never been charged for services by the Ontario Provincial Police.
OPP themselves have stated, “OPP does not cost back to municipal police services, the current Police Services Act does allow this to happen under section 19(3).”

Given those statements it would be interesting to see the “contract” spoken about in the release.

Which carries us back to the initial point of this editorial. Police services like anyone must be accountable and accurate as much as possible.

Stating the new forensic officer with the Cobourg Police Service will save both time and money maybe only half right.
It would likely save time, given that OPP may have to come in from another area, but it will likely not save very much if any cost as the OPP were doing it at no cost.

And if the Special Constable isn’t available to do the forensic investigation, it would likely fall upon the OPP anyway.

The public deserves and should demand that any municipal service state items of accuracy. Not slant something for the applause of the citizens. Otherwise, how could anyone trust them.