Definition of the word “confusion – uncertainty about what is happening, intended or required.”
Confusion is one word that comes to mind with what is, or isn’t happening with the Cobourg Police Service.
On February 14, 2022 is when things started to go awry and get – well, confusing.
Basically, the new policy states that, “names of accused persons will only be released by Cobourg Police Service when it is in the interest of public safety, for investigative purposes or public interest (as determined by the Chief of Police or designate).”
There is so much to that one sentence.
Today’s Northumberland wrote about it a week later in a editorial, and we’ll write about it again.
Simply put, it doesn’t work – at least in this world.
In a perfect world, maybe.
In the press release issued, Chief Paul VandeGraaf stated it was about working, “to maintain the appropriate balance among informing on matters of public safety, protecting victims and upholding the right to a fair trial.”
Taking that sentence apart, every police service in Canada and beyond has always released names, so the right to a fair trial is obvious. Whether the name is there or not.
So, let’s move to the second part – protecting victims. No media outlet that I know of would ever intentionally do anything to not protect the victims. The court issues publication bans to protect victims involved in domestic incidents and that coincides where the name of the accused is not named, because it would identify the victim.
So, let’s go to the first part where it states about informing matters on public safety.
When a person is charged, they are considered innocent until proven guilty – they are the “accused.”
Everyone should get a chance to redeem themselves for certain crimes.
Shoplifting for one. But if that same person is charged time and time again, if that person doesn’t attend court appearances, if that person doesn’t abide by their conditions when does the onus go on that individual to better themselves. When is the business owner that had a pair of pants stolen, or the house owner that had their shed broken into and a chain saw stolen become the victim?
When do we worry about their mental illness?
No one wants anyone to suffer with any type of mental illness. But at some point, society, police have to worry about what the crimes suspects commit time and time again do to the mental illness of the victims of that crime.
Releasing names also helps to know what is, and frankly isn’t happening with the court system. We used to be able to read how certain people were charged with multiple offenses continuously seemingly free to carry on. The justice system infuriates some people for their weak sentencing of repeat offenders.
VandeGraaf said he wants to maintain balance. For repeat offenders that don’t seek help and continue to plague the court system, they must be thrilled with the new policy.
Personally, I doubt their name being in a press release was an issue for most.
Which brings up the next point.
On, Tuesday, April 19, 2022 we received a found hand-written book.
It had the persons name on it and said if anyone wanted to read it – “enjoy.”
“Enter if you dare – lol.”
One page in the book is titled, “Being Bad is all I’m here to do.”
“I know all you bitches out there agree…it ain’t fun to be good or aim to please no authorities.
“Fuck the rules, fuck the law, fuck it all…Being bad is all I’m here to do!!! hahahahaha”
Not knowing the context, it could be words to a song – but in fairness it could also be what that person feels.
The name on the book belongs to a individual well-known to police.
To maintain balance, why would police keep the name of that person off a press release?
In the handwritten letter, it states how she feels openly.
So where is the fairness, the balance to the public?
Let’s move on to a recent virtual press conference held on April 12, 2022 the Chief in conjunction with Northumberland 89.7 had with members of the media, and the public on a Zoom. It’s been viewed 106 times since it was aired a week ago.
Today’s Northumberland asked for a copy of the VandeGraaf’s notes.
VandeGraaf was more in-depth about the policy saying the service was looking over the media policy and, “reflecting on the effectiveness of our current practices, how they help us reach our larger goals of community safety and well-being.”
Candidly, nothing the service has done since changing the media policy changed has been beneficial towards community safety and well-being. Nothing.
The Chief notes that in consultation with other services, “a number of services choose to release names of accused for more serious crimes or when it is in the interest of public safety, investigative purposes, or public interest.”
VandeGraaf indicates, “many neighbouring services” have moved in the direction of Cobourg Police.
That may, or may not be correct.
Ontario Provincial Police encompasses the area and is likely the largest police service in the province still releases the names of individuals charged with offences like impaired driving.
Regarding impaired driving, Today’s Northumberland reached out to MADD Canada National President Jaymie-Lyne Hancock on the views of not naming the accused regarding impaired driving.
“The naming of those charged with impaired driving offences is a strategy that various police services around the country have done as part of their overall anti-impaired driving efforts,” said Hancock.
“MADD Canada does not have a formal policy on this, but we support those police services that choose to do it.”
VandeGraaf said that through community consultation from the public and “focus groups” the service received “compelling community feedback” that came through “loud and clear” certain people/groups felt the service’s communication was “enforcement centric, not nuanced, or empathetic, and created antagonistic private/online conversations.”
The service could release the numbers and identify the focus groups to help the public understand just how many and who felt the service was mistreating them. With a population of approximately 20,000 the numbers of people that feel that way about the service must surely be in the thousands to make it “loud and clear” about the “compelling community feedback.”
As stated earlier, releasing an accused person’s name could have, “a negative impact on harm reduction efforts by community organizations, perpetuate stigma, and cause negative impacts to families or individuals in our community.”
In late March, Cobourg Police issued a press release stating a 25-year-old Belleville man was charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and accessing child pornography. There was no name released and no publication ban. Summing it up, the service didn’t think it was necessary to release the individuals name. And if that person is innocent, going by the new procedures, we’d have to agreed on the hardship it would cause if innocent. But let’s take the offence of murder. If a person is charged with murder and the name is released and through time and the court process, if that person is found not guilty, that name will forever be etched in the minds of a smaller community like Cobourg.
As discussed previously, we all make mistakes in life. But for the constant people that re-offend where is the caring needed in a society for victims of crime.
When a person states, “Being bad is all I’m here to do!!!” it seems they won’t be seeking help or feel remorse anytime soon.
How many of these same individuals cause mental anguish to victims of crime. Where is their “justice?”
Really, when you think about it, what more could a suspect ask for?
First they have no respect for the courts by continuously committing crimes, and now with a few police forces coming up with this new media policy, they have anonymity.
Damn the victims of crime and let’s hear it for the scales of justice.
A few other notes of interest. When searching the internet for media releases by Cobourg Police, the site came up they were “closed.”
The service is only open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To be fair, both Port Hope and Northumberland OPP Detachment in Cobourg are not open at night either, but they aren’t located in downtown.
Next, the Cobourg Police Service doesn’t issue releases for break and enters and other crimes. The only releases that are issued are ones where a suspect is charged criminally.
Born and raised in Cobourg along with my family, knowing where a break and enter has occurred is of public interest. People want to know. Especially in their area so they can be more vigilant.
People want to know other crimes that have been committed. Not only arrests.
Another point of interest that goes along with that. Recently a large window was broken in a store front in downtown Cobourg.
With the presence of more police cameras installed in the downtown area, has this helped in the investigation?
The glass still hasn’t been replaced, but anyone who frequents downtown certainly is aware of it.
Incidents like these along with break-ins are something the public should be informed of. Since officers would be doing a report, a brief release would suffice.
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
