Three people were charged with trespassing on Victoria Beach in Cobourg on Saturday, August 15, 2020.
Things got a little heated and one person was arrested for a short period of time during the incident.
The group of people have gone to the beach for ther past several weeks in protest of the town closing the beach down for the summer.
Regularly they protest in front of Victoria Hall on Saturday before walking down to the east pier and taking a dip.
If they enter the water off the east pier they must not touch the sand, or they will receive a ticket.
On scene on Saturday were a by-law officer, auxiliary officers, special constables and police.
Several people went in the water from the east pier, some holding flags and walked along the shoreline.
One person apparently walked on the sand at some point which triggered police along with special constables to give the man a ticket for $65.00.
But when the man didn`t want to go to shore, officers had to go into the water to help the man to shore. (They didnt go in very far at all)
After that ticket was given, special constables noticed people that also went on the beach.
A ticket was handed to a woman whose child was distraught.
When a special constable noticed a person who refused to give identification after he allegedly walked on the beach, police officers intervened to also try to get the man to give identification.
Rocco Ugolini first spelled his name for officers, then said “you can mail it to me. It`s only a ticket.`
Officers stated to Ugolini, “sir you can`t walk away.`:
Ugolini`s reply was, “I can, I`m not under arrest.“
`Well you`re going to be,` said one officer.
Ùgolini`s reply, “I just identified myself to everybody. Unless I`m under arrest you can`t stop me.“
Less than two seconds later, police did just that and arrested Ugolini, placing him in handcuffs.
While Ugolini gave his particulars to police, auxiliary officers formed a line from protestors.
A short time later, Ugolini was released and shook the hands of each of the officers. He received a trespass ticket for $65.00.
Note: in the audio Today`s Northumberland asked Ugolini if police charged him with fail to identify. For clarification – there is no such charge)
Ugolini admitted to Today`s Northumberland, “I pushed it. I shouldn`t have pushed it. I shouldn`t have kept pushing the cop. But freedom got to go full tilt. I shouldn`t be getting arrested for this.
A short time later, all participants involved left the pier – at least for this week.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
