Update: Today’s Northumberland spent time watching the clean-up of the encampment on Thursday, 24, 2023. Several police officers along with by-law officers stayed clear of the actual encampment, but also prevented anyone from going to where it was located. Trucks hauling garbage out of the area left several times while encampment members and volunteers dismantled the tents and collected valuables so they could be taken with them.
Later in the evening it was apparent that tents and valuables were taken but there was garbage that remained at the former site. It’s unknown whether volunteers will be back cleaning the area or whether town employees will be taking over and cleaning up the debris.
The Town of Cobourg would like to advise residents that the encampment located by the Cobourg West Pier has been vacated. Town of Cobourg staff will be on site in the following days to conduct cleaning and remediation of the area.
Residents are asked to please refrain from visiting the area around the Waterfront Nature Park to allow crews to complete this work.
Following receipt of multiple resident complaints, on Monday, August 7th, Municipal Law Enforcement staff attended an encampment located by the west pier. Based on their assessment of the site, Officers found that the encampment was in violation of the Parks By law, Nuisance By-law and Trespass to Property Act. Staff have been working internally and with community supports offered through Northumberland County Community and Social Services and various community agencies on a response to the situation occurring on public lands. Partners including NHH Community Mental Health Services outreach workers, and the Cobourg Police Homeless Addiction Resource Project (HARP) team have been actively engaged with the occupants, enabling individuals to access provincial social assistance and with the goal of transitioning those temporarily sheltering on municipal park lands to community services.
Town of Cobourg Parks crews will be conducing a cleaning and remediation of the Cobourg West Pier and Waterfront Nature Park areas to allow regular use of these town parks. The Town of Cobourg advises that residents please refrain from these areas to allow crews to complete this work.
Amendments Town of Cobourg Parks, Open Spaces and Facilities By-Law At the August 21, 2023, Regular Council Meeting, Cobourg Municipal Council approved an amendment to the Town of Cobourg Parks By-law and endorsed the regular enforcement of the current Town of Cobourg By-laws and authority provided to the Town of Cobourg under the provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001.
As part of staff’s Report to Council, staff described the delineation of authority between the Town of Cobourg and Northumberland County’s Social Services Department that allocates
responsibility for Social Services to Northumberland County as outlined in the Housing Services Act, 2011.
Should residents have questions regarding the violation of municipal by-laws, they are advised to contact the 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
