Editorial – Two releases sent out on Monday, July 17, 2023 show just how ludicrous the media policy is with Cobourg Police.
It’s long overdue that something should be done.
The Police Services Board should be unanimously publicly questioning the logic behind it.
Today’s Northumberland has been opposed to the new policy since the start of the nightmare.
When numerous releases are issued, it clearly shows how absurd the policy is and quickly it should revert back to what it was – immediately.
The analogy stating that if nothing is broke don’t try to fix it best suits this.
For the latest barrage of comedy by the service these are the two press releases that were issued today.
The police stated that almost a week ago a Toronto man concealed several items from a Strathy Road business and exited the store.
Police arrested the man outside the store and charged him with two offences, theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. The Toronto man’s name was issued in the release.
Serious charges for sure given the amount was over $5,000.
But given what the release stated, he wasn’t a danger to society, there were no charges of assault or resist arrest? Nothing of a violent nature.
But, just a few hours later, another release is issued.
This one is current as it happened yesterday, so hope is on the horizon for getting releases in a timely fashion, but alas, lets focus on one problem at a time.
This release says police responded to a disturbance at a business near Covert and Division Street on Sunday, July 16.
Police said in the release an individual threatened staff when asked to vacate the property.
Police caught up with the 37-year-old female and charged her with outstanding warrants (more than one) held by the Cobourg Police Service.
The woman was arrested and also charged with failing to attend, indecent acts (more than one), uttering threats, and assault with intent to resist arrest.
So it’s unknown what the previous warrants are for, whether they are for a violent crime or not, but this woman is charged with uttering threats and assault with intent to resist arrest.
The first press release is a property crime where there are no “victims.”
Stating that, every crime has victims so it’s a misnomer to think there any crime doesn’t have victims.
But comparing the first release where a person is charged with stealing and a name is given, to the second release where a person has more than one warrant, failing to attend, more than one indecent act, uttering threats and assault with intent to resist arrest is like comparing apples to oranges.
These two releases, on their own, should be the perfect examples of how unjust the current system is that Cobourg Police are using.
We all make mistakes, and we all try to improve, but at some point it’s best to throw in the towel.
These two releases highlight that it’s time to call it a day for the wacky way of press releases by Cobourg Police.
And the Board should come out publicly and unanimously condemn the way it’s working now.
It’s confusing, inconsistent and unfair to the community of Cobourg.
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
