Editorial – Where are town officials in Cobourg regarding encampments?
Specifically one that is north of King Street West along Cobourg Creek.
If fact, it’s nearly in Cobourg Creek.
Walking along a pathway from King Street West, it’s like following bread crumbs of garbage that leads to the encampment consisting of one tent.
Arriving at the encampment, it’s nothing more than a dump.
The area surrounding it, literally littered with every type of garbage but the kitchen sink.
And if you looked long enough, you might just find it.
Looking around, the chipmunks and squirrels are having a feast.
Knives, books, Halloween masks, glasses, jewellery, coolers, a disco ball, propane tank, fresh food gone to waste, bags of garbage in the creek and the oddest thing – there appears to be a brand new lawn mower beside the tent.
Why it’s there is one thing – how it got there down the embankment is another.
Along the creek was near where I grew up.
Walking to Burnham School sometimes along that same path.
Homelessness isn’t and should never be a crime.
At any time of life, we could all be there for whatever reason.
But this “encampment” was the worst that we’ve ever witnessed.
The garbage, the filth, the lack of respect for where the person is living.
No words can really describe it.
Talking to neighbours they said it’s been there for months.
So the question is, where are town officials regarding the encampment?
Why is it still there?
Who will clean it up?
And we all know who will cover the costs of cleanup.
It’s unknown how long or even if the Town of Cobourg is aware of the encampment.
A “Notice to Vacate” from the Town of Cobourg was in the mess of garbage.
It was dated August 29, 2024 and stated, “This encampment is located on Municipal Property and must be vacated and have all items removed by September 1, 2024.
Twenty-days later the encampment is still there.
What has the town done since September 1?
Why is it still there and why wasn’t it removed at that time?
Given where it is located – is it the Cobourg’s problem or the GRCA?
Given where the encampment is, anyone would wonder if it would be in danger of being swept away in a rain storm.
So why was it allowed to stay for months?
The encampment at the former Brookside property has stayed this long because the Province is the owner of the property.
But if the “Notice to Vacate” indicates it’s on town property, then why has it been there for months?
Or at the very least since September 1.
Ironically, the encampment just a few steps away from the town’s sewage treatment plant.
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
