Northumberland County and Town of Cobourg staff continue to work together with community partners to ensure a coordinated response to the current encampment by the Cobourg West Pier, including connections to services for individuals who are tenting, and working towards by-law compliance. Partners including NHH Community Mental Health Services outreach workers, and the Cobourg Police Homeless Addiction Resource Project (HARP) team have been actively engaged.
“Our collective goal is to support voluntary resolution of the encampment through offers of service,” states Northumberland County Director of Community and Social Services Lisa Horne.
“Outreach workers have been working directly with those tenting to connect them with supports in the community. Workers are attending the encampment regularly, making connections to emergency shelter, to the Help Centre for support with current rental listings, to social assistance registration, health, mental health and addictions support, food supports, and other essential services, depending on the needs of the individual.”
This week, as a precautionary health and safety measure, Town of Cobourg staff also introduced short-term measures such as garbage collection and porta-potties in this area, as part of its Parks Department operations for management of the property.
“This is a temporary response to reduce environment and health and safety concerns and to reduce community impacts while work is underway to support voluntary resolution of the encampment,” states Town of Cobourg CAO Tracey Vaughan.
Municipal Law Enforcement staff are conducting twice daily patrols of the area and will continue to enforce municipal by-laws related to nuisance, noise, and protection of trees and park lands.
Regular updates are being provided to Council.
Northumberland County and the Town of Cobourg will continue to collaborate across their respective areas of operation, and with partner agencies, to ensure a coordinated response for supporting tenting individuals to transition from the encampment to community services. Should community members have any concerns regarding the violation of municipal by-laws, they are advised to contact the Town of Cobourg Municipal Law Enforcement department at 905-372-8380.
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
