Editorial – Were Appropriate Agencies Contacted After Police Notified A Person Was “Acting Strange?”

Pete Fisher
1 day ago
• Categories: Editorial

A Cobourg man is facing charges after a woman was assaulted shortly after the Santa Claus parade in downtown Cobourg on Saturday evening.

Not many people witnessed the actual assault at a local business in downtown, but a number of people have posted online they witnessed the erratic behaviour of the 47-year-old Cobourg man during the parade on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

Shortly after the parade was over, the suspect entered the business and without provocation police said in a release, attacked a 19-year-old woman who works at the business.

The suspect is charged with assault, assault uttering threats, mischief – damage to property, possession of a schedule I substance, possession of a schedule III substance.

It appears the individual had been in the downtown area for most of the day.

On social media, one person stated they were walking through Henley Arcade on Saturday morning with their three-year-old daughter when they encountered the same suspect.

The suspect kneeled down and said to the young child, “do you see my a colour aura? You’re a child of light and you should see blue all around me.”

The man touched the child’s shoulder and started chanting.

The parent quickly left the area with the child, but saw the same person at the parade later that evening.

At one point the individual was again chanting in front of a store during the parade.

Another individual posted online they saw a female police officer walking with the individual during the parade.

Numerous people posted seeing the individual acting strange on the sidewalk and at one point, entered the street walking in the opposite direction of the parade in front of a number of children.

Today’s Northumberland reached out to Cobourg Police for comment asking why wasn’t something done at that time if there was enough concern that an officer was escorting the individual downtown?

It appeared the person might have been having some sort of mental crisis.

Manager of Communications, Lisa Munday responded, stating around 7:30 p.m on Saturday, ”while on foot patrol, police were flagged down by a pedestrian for a report of a man acting strange in the area of Division Street and King Street.

Munday added that, “police remained in the area for the parade until it concluded.”

Today’s Northumberland replied asking if any other agencies were notified?

There has been no response from the police service.

Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf said at a town hall meeting at the Lions Centre on November 7 that he is concerned about the,” end result of drug use and untreated mental illness.”

Stating that, “often police are seen as the first resort from some, and the last resort for many. Our members recognize this and are proud to lead. But we realize in many cases, other can and should lead.”

VandeGraaf said the service will be better at their core functions, but added, “I expect others to lean into theirs.”

But how can other agencies do their jobs if they aren’t or weren’t notified?

Did police reach out to other services concerning this individual?

If they did – great, and hard questions need to be asked of other agencies.

But if they didn’t reach out to other agencies, one has to wonder if the assault could have been prevented?

Is the job of police to walk around with a possibly unstable person for minutes or hours, then when a parade or function is over, leave them on their own?

If anyone heard their daughter had been assaulted in a unprovoked attack at her place of work, then heard that police were aware of a man “acting strange,” but left him on his own after the parade concluded – it goes without saying there would be questions.

So did police notify other agencies so others could lead?

If not – why?

On a positive note, Cobourg Police did hold the suspect for a bail hearing – unfortunately, once again the person was subsequently released by the courts.