So let’s just lay it on the line and call it what it is.
Today’s Northumberland was created to fill a void. To ask questions that media always have, or should we say “had” asked.
Media has changed. Not just locally. But globally.
Fewer journalists, even fewer that ask the questions the public deserves to be answered.
A few things over the years that I try to live by.
“Don’t let the personality get in the way of the profession.”
I’ve tried to live that through the years. It’s difficult at times and at times I’ve failed – but I try.
People may not agree. And that’s ok too.
We shouldn’t have to live in a perfect world to get along with each other.
And finally and believe me I’m aware I’ve said this many times, but above all “education through communication.”
Why write all this – again.
Because certain individuals just don’t seem to get it.
Today’s Northumberland posted a Letter to the Editor on August 18, 2025 about the Cobourg Police Service.
It was titled, as we received it “Cobourg Police – A Broken System In a “Feel Good” Town.
We stand by posting it.
After it was published, one would think if there was something wrong with what the writer said – we’d be notified.
But not a peep from the Cobourg Police Service.
But lo and behold comes the monthly police services board meeting last Wednesday, August 27, 2025 and the Cobourg Police Chief went on for over 15-minutes clarifying the letter stating that most or all of the allegations were wrong.
At the beginning of the Chief’s speech he stated he was going to read the glaring errors.
But stated firmly the service is “committed to transparency, accountability and public safety.”
In citing numerous inaccuracies with the letter, we agree fully with what the Chief said.
“When facts don’t support the narrative being created, they just repeat the same information over and over again until someone believe it to be the truth.”
Today’s Northumberland reached out to the Chief on August 2024 with a question regarding golf carts on public streets. To this day, I don’t believe we ever got an answer to that, along with many other questions.
So much for transparency.
That isn’t fiction – it’s fact.
Today’s Northumberland has reached out numerous times to the Chief and copied the Chair of the Police Services Board on those e-mails.
They’ve gone unanswered.
So much for accountability.
But, let’s get back to the Letter to the Editor.
Today’s Northumberland has stated publicly to the Police Services Board shortly after their meeting that we would happily post the Chief’s corrections.
We are again still waiting and it’s August 31, 2025.
If the Chief felt so inclined to rightfully so point out the errors, then for the sake of pushing “send” on a keyboard to notes that are already written wouldn’t that be the logical thing to do instead of waiting nine days?
Towards the end, the Chief said, “spreading misinformation purported to be from unnamed sources, undefined research, rumour and innuendo to further a personal agenda is dangerous, increases pressure, increases unneeded and easily avoided stress on my team.”
But wouldn’t a lot of that stress be taken away with one thing – communication.
“I encourage the author and anyone else to contact me directly – everybody knows my phone number – everybody knows my e-mail address. I’ve answered an e-mail or a phone call every weekend this summer.”
Well – this is where once again the issue arises.
The Chief of course is allowed to like, dislike anyone at anytime.
But in his role as Chief he is accountable.
Stating such a statement is more of a politicians speech than one of a Chief.
As for months Today’s Northumberland has reached out to him to no avail.
So, why would we even try with a Letter to the Editor. So grandstanding to the Board on video may suit his personal viewpoint. But when he comes to work for the Cobourg Police he is a public figure and should act as such.
Maybe that way he would have received the letter and avoided the speech.
Secondly, there have been five incidents of people being taken to hospital of the effects of bear spray over the course of four days.
Never was there ever a release advising the public. The only time a release was issued was when a person was arrested after a victim was sprayed with what police described as pepper spray, not bear spray.
What happened to the other four incidents and why no release?
On Sunday, Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland issued a statement concerning the bear spray.
“I have had many points of contact from Cobourg residents concerned with the recent rash of bear/pepper spray incidents.”
Then went on to say that bear spray and pepper spray are illegal in Cobourg and if anyone knows anything to contact the police.
Today’s Northumberland was the first to contact the mayor regarding these incidents including one shortly after emergency services responded. Yet nothing was said at that time.
Yet now he brings up that he’s been contacted numerous residents.
On a gorgeous weekend, Today’s Northumberland thought they’d kick back and relax to write the column on McGill Street by Victoria Park on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
We did this for two reasons.
It’s a beautiful day to be outside and to see if anything has been done to rectify the situation of cars going the wrong way on a one way street.
From what we see over the past hour, nothing has been done. Several cars still going the wrong way.
One person who read a Today’s Northumberland story and watched approximately 30 vehicles go the wrong way in the span of approximately three hours met with the Police Chief recently.
Through discussions the Chief said they will be looking into working on issues like trimming trees to make the signs more visible.
Both times the Chief and the Mayor refused to acknowledge Today’s Northumberland for bringing both these important stories to the public.
The unfortunate question is, instead of patting the Chief on the back all the time why doesn’t the Board ask the important questions?
What’s happening with the other bear spray incidents and why was there no releases informing residents since they all happened within the area of downtown?
What is being done to rectify the issue of vehicles going the wrong way on a one way street?
Police seem to be so concerned about people going over 40 kph in a new speed zone in the east end of Cobourg when school is not even back in session, yet the most populated area in Cobourg during the summer seems to be a free for all for bad driving habits.
The Mayor knew about the bear spray from day one. Issuing a release approximately a week later is a day late and a dollar short.
And lastly, the bear spray story, the one way story along with the letter garnered much public interest.
Not stating the source certainly doesn’t mean we aren’t doing our job, but it may shed light on others not doing theirs.
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
