Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf said he’s extremely proud of his officers are conducting themselves with anti-lockdown protesters over the last several weeks.
“Where my frustration sits is secondary to that of our membership.”
VandeGraaf said he regularly gets communication or calls from members of the public concerning the lockdown and the rules.
“The Specials, the Auxiliaries, our officers that come in and deal with it everyday – it’s a major impact.”
Anti-lockdown protestors have been gathering every Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. with signs in front of Victoria Hall.
Last weekend, they gathered in Victoria Park and played music on the bandshell. Several tickets were given out for $880.00.
Even though the majority of the time, most of the same people are in front of Victoria Hall, or this past weekend in Victoria Park, VandeGraaf said the officers still try to educate and explain before the enforcement aspect comes into play.
Since the lockdown, Cobourg Police have issued between $15,000 and $20,000 worth of fines under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
“That pales in comparison to the added expenses to the taxpayer to up-staff.”
As the Cobourg Chief explains the community of Cobourg far exceeds the boundaries of Victoria Hall and the bandshell of Victoria Park where protestors congregate each Saturday.
“We have a community that needs us with mental health crisis, opioid addictions, general crime abatement, crime prevention initiatives that are continuing throughout this lockdown.”
“So in order I can provide a safe environment for my team to work, I have to bring in extra staff and that’s not free and that’s not budgeted.”
With the officers and some family members even being essential workers, VandeGraaf said they are giving up that sense of security to provide a “safety net for our community.”
“That’s why I become so incensed when people disparage or are unprofessional towards my people.”
“I don’t agree with everything about the lockdown,” said VandeGraaf.
“There are things about the lockdown I don’t necessarily enjoy – but it is what we are doing.”
“The Government has set these rules.”
“My people are doing what they signed up to do when they took their oath as a police officer. And that’s enforce the laws.”
Going into the forth week – VandeGraaf said they are going to “pivot” and “move this along” but wouldn’t elaborate.
As with other police services, Cobourg Police Service is in regular communication with the Provincial Prosecutors and the Crown Attorney’s office.
“We’re looking for alternatives to end this,” but emphasizes, “there is no magic here.”
“We’re going to explain to everybody in the future weekends what could happen.”
VandeGraaf says he’s all for people making their voices heard, “but there will come a time where that stops and the law will be enforced.”
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
