What does it take for Cobourg Police to issue a press release?
Valid question some would think.
We’ve asked questions numerous times to the Cobourg Police Service.
Most e-mails have gone unanswered.
Is that what a police service does?
At times, Today’s Northumberland has been critical of the Cobourg Police.
Not necessarily the police themselves, but of management.
“Education through communication” has been a motto of Today’s Northumberland since the beginning.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to agree with what’s being communicated, but the lines of communication should always remain open.
Cobourg Police has failed miserably with this.
When Today’s Northumberland received anonymous letters from the service, we reported on them.
We were chastised by the Chief, the Association and even the Chair of the Board.
But when the Chair of the Board spoke openly at a Town Hall meeting, there was a bit of egg on his face as he stated he even believed it came from a member of the service.
Which is all we said – whether it was true or not true is not up to the media.
The service needs to be improved for the citizens they serve.
Again, this is upper management, not the frontline officers.
The latest event of non-transparency coming from a service that prides itself on transparency was a fire that happened on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in downtown Cobourg.
The fire happened in a alley beside 29 King Street East shortly after 10 p.m.
A bicycle and cart were on fire in the alley.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire that was deemed suspicious.
Police were called to the scene as a result.
What adds to the mystery – this was the second fire in the same alley in a number of days.
It’s unknown if police were called to the first fire.
Both fires could be considered minor in nature – basically, no damage.
But it’s the “what if’s” that are very concerning.
A bicycle and cart don’t catch fire accidentally at 10 p.m. in a alley.
There was a wooden deck nearby. Luckily nothing else caught fire.
Downtown buildings are likely close to 100-years-old.
Previously Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland stated his business had been broken into numerous times which is in the vicinity of where these two fires were located.
What happened to the motto about the public being in the eyes and ears of the police?
Should the public be concerned about these fires?
Are police investigating?
How many fires does it take to issue a press release informing the public?
What does the Police Service Board think about this?
It’s an operational matter, so they don’t have any say in how it’s handled, but on the surface it’s very concerning or at least it should be.
Something should be said to the public about the lack of transparency by this service.
Or, maybe police determined what happened and it wasn’t what it appeared to be.
But even that should generate a release to ease the public’s concern.
Either way, the Cobourg Police Service is definitely needs improvement. Avoiding the question doesn’t make the concern go away.
There is also a bigger question the public should be concerned about.
What else aren’t they releasing?
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
