(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The numbers told the tale as Chief Paul VandeGraaf presented his annual report for 2024 at the May meeting of the Cobourg Police Services Board.
“In 2024, the message was very clear – residents wanted us to focus on our core mandate, which is law enforcement. We heard that loud and clear – a timely response to deter crime and hold individuals accountable. A strong, visible presence in neighbourhoods has made everyone feel safer,” the chief said.
In 2024, the force received 18,197 calls for service (up from 13,747 in 2023). These included 200 assaults (up from 129 last year), 42 break-and-enters (down from 51), 355 thefts under $5,000 (down from 476) and 134 intimate-partner violence incidents (down from 150).
They dealt with 243 motor-vehicle collisions (down from 352).
The auxiliary updated their training with the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada and were able to bring back the popular child’s-car-seat clinic.
“This sells out within minutes of being put on social media,” VandeGraaf said.
A significant operation in partnership with other agencies resulted in five arrests and the seizure of $167,000 in cash, four loaded firearms and $331,000 worth of drugs (including 511 grams of fentanyl, which was enough for some 10,000 potential lethal overdoses.
“Violent crime and safety issues around impaired driving are increasing. Drugs continue to be an issue in the community,” VandeGraaf said.
Two 2024 initiatives are promising, he added.
Dynamic Patrol efforts strove to increase public safety downtown, with 520 foot patrols, 517 property checks and 194 arrests. They also mounted a big shopping-cart-retrieval campaign, which saw the return of 83 carts (worth $50,000).
Their Warrant Apprehension and Bail Compliance Program, launched in November, saw 22 warrants conducted, seven bail compliance checks, 16 arrests and 38 charges laid.
Several town halls, lasting three and a half hours each, gave residents the chance to tell the chief what they expected to change.
These were among 398 community-engagement opportunities (345 last year) that are important to identify local concerns, possibly address root causes of crime and help create more resilient neighbourhoods.
Mental health and addiction issues have increased significantly with 559 mental-health calls (339 last year), 1,468 wellness checks (509 last year) and 53 suspected drug poisonings (82 last year).
The service undergoes joint training with their Port Hope counterparts on the use of force – which is involved in only .001% of their calls, mostly during arrests to protect police officers and the public. There were 13 use-of-force reports (18 last year) and 29 applications of force (50 last year).
“The Venture 13 PoliceTech Accelerator is the first of its kind in Canada, developing and testing real-world innovations for community safety,” VandeGraaf said, adding that their Pitch To The Chief competition has broadened across the county.
Of the gross operating budget of $10,833,337 for the Cobourg Police Service, $7,434,381 came from the tax levy – which rose 6.3% last year.
Self-generated revenue accounts for 19% of their revenue budget, he said, noting that this item – since 2012 – has funded all capital expenditures.
“The Business Centre operates 24/7/365. It is the single largest criminal-records check processor in Canada. It generated over $2.1-million in 2024 to help offset our budget,” he said.
VandeGraaf shared an important goal for 2025.
“Our clearance rates are not acceptable. That is something we have identified as a senior management team and across the board in 2025 – we will strive to have increased clearance rates.”
The report concluded with the chief calling it “a snapshot of the exceptional work our members do every day, much of it happening behind the scenes with great dedication.”
Chair Adam Bureau estimated that the stats work out to 49 calls per day for the police service to deal with.
“You have listened to the public, you have answered the calls, and I just want to say thank you on behalf of the whole board,” Bureau said.
