(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
In contrast to a Cobourg council sitting, Mayor Lucas Cleveland appeared as the delegation party in his appearance before the May Cobourg Police Services Board.
Cleveland was late to the meeting, and not present when member Ron Kerr questioned the sudden nature of his addition to the agenda.
“Per our policy, has the mayor submitted anything in advance for the board to look at?” Kerr asked.
Cleveland had not. But when he did arrive, the board welcomed him to – as he put it – ask the single question he came for.
As the province anticipates passage of Bill 6 within weeks – the Safer Municipalities Act – “what is the police plan to ensure that the Cobourg Police Service are aligned with the provincial priorities outlined in Bill 6?”
Cleveland elaborated on the catch-and-release policies the bill is meant to address and Northumberland County council’s pending report on whether its homeless shelter at 310 Division St. should be repurposed as a sober-living facility.
Surely, the mayor added, the Cobourg community deserves to know that its police services is on board with and prepared to implement compliance.
Board chair Adam Bureau said the board had not met on this topic but, “as always – and I want to stress this, as always – the police are aligned with the provincial rules. So whenever they set out that there will be procedures, they are done. And I know they will be followed to the best of this force’s ability.
“They have always been tough on drugs, they have always been tough on crime, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.”
Cleveland asked for a time line when the public will find out about any changes to be made, but Bureau said there is not yet a date for that.
Kerr interjected.
“I think, with all due respect to the mayor, we have allowed the mayor a lot more flexibility than we allow normal delegations, and I would suggest he has asked his question, you have answered – which is unusual, because our policy on delegations is that the board does not answer questions,” he pointed out.
Chief Paul VandeGraaf referred the mayor to the force’s new Warrant Apprehension and Bail Compliance Program and other initiatives that not only meet provincial requirements but, in some cases, even anticipate them.
“We are innovative. We can protect and see around corners. There is nothing I am worried about that comes in Bill 6 that we won’t respond to,” the chief pledged.
