In My View – What Has Happened to Cobourg?

Pete Fisher
32 seconds ago
• Categories: Editorial

Lately as most people that follow Today’s Northumberland have read – there have been “issues” with Cobourg Police press releases, and more importantly, what they don’t release.

For many years, likely even since press releases were issued by way of e-mail from the Cobourg Police, we’ve received them.

But since there have been questions raised to the police service about operations, and since we’ve published letters criticizing some parts of the organization we’ve been shut out – at least as much as possible.

All this said, without communication, it can only hurt the community, the police, and Today’s Northumberland.

When, or if police issue press releases, who cares who gets them. The more the merrier if people want them.

To not send anyone who wants one is childish. It’s time to grow up.

If a person goes missing, elderly or a child, it’s paramount to get that message out to as many people as possible in the quickest time.

Without communication, there is a lack of education and that unfortunately only hurts the good members of the service, and frankly the public in times of an emergency.

There is only so much we can do as media. We ask, we shouldn’t have to demand.

It’s a public police service, not a private one.

Over time, Today’s Northumberland has received many e-mails concerning the service. Some good, but mostly they are criticisms of the service. Right or wrong is a fine line.

But it frankly boils down to this.

A question concerning a golf cart operating on roads is basic to answer.

Not answering it is a disservice to the community.

It’s a basic question.

Is it legal, or isn’t it?

But the lack of communication by the police service on five suspicious fires in historic downtown Cobourg is downright asinine.

Today’s Northumberland has sent repeated questions to the Chief of Police Paul VandeGraaf who is 2024 pulled in nearly $200,000 and Chair of the Police Services Board Adam Bureau.

Absolutely nothing in return.

It’s pathetic to the 22,000 people who pay the Chief’s salary.

Yet, a fence on fire along the beach on September 21, warrants a press release.

Questions need to be asked, and they are being asked to the Chief and the Board.

Approximately a week ago I posted on thoughts on my personal Facebook account.

About being frustrated not getting answers from the Chief and Board who serve the public.

Who are supposed to tell us what’s happening in our town.

About the frustration of a Chief that makes a good chunk of change and has never lived in this town.

It keeps playing in my head how can someone in the public service not answer a valid question?

A former colleague who was my boss at one point and who I’ve always respect both his knowledge and his humour posted this on Facebook to my post.

“The sad reality of what “public information” has devolved into:

– Never respond, hope the person goes away in frustration;

– Release minimal information and ignore anything that may paint the organization in a poor light; and

– Criticize, bluff and bully any criticism or reporting that attempts to hold the organization accountable.

The decimation of the media by corporations who chose to serve the shareholders instead of the public, when they bought up newspapers, radio and television news in the 1990s and 2000s have left us with a void in coverage.

Your dogged determination is unfortunately a rarity now, as we are mired in prepackaged “news” designed to applaud and cheer whoever currently holds the reins of power.

Keep up the good work, although it may seem futile.”

His post stuck with me since that day.

And gave me that “kick” that I needed. That “spark” that news doesn’t seem to have these days.

So, in the last few days, it came as a thought that if the Chair of the Police Services Board won’t comment or ask proper questions to our Police Chief – maybe the Mayor will?

They are questions that concern the safety of the citizens of Cobourg.

From a relatively minor question about golf carts, to vehicles traveling in the wrong direction, to numerous fires possibly intentionally set in downtown Cobourg.

Begs the question, what else aren’t we being told?

On October, 7 an e-mail went out to Mayor Lucas Cleveland asking, “do you think the (police) service should be accountable to the public and answer questions?”

The reply given was, “before I comment I will give both the Chief and the CPS Board Chair a chance to do so.”

Could that reply be considered a copout?

Today’s Northumberland sent numerous e-mails that had been previously sent to both the Chief and the Chair of the Police Services Board over the last several months, even going back a year.

All of them went unanswered by both the Chief and Chair.

Cleveland later stated to Today’s Northumberland that he gave up the right to make comment or criticism of the police when he delegated his position on the Police Services Board to Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty.

Sounding more like a copout.

So, off goes another e-mail, this time to Deputy Mayor Beatty stating that it was a question to her as Deputy Mayor and not as a member of the Police Services Board.

“Do you think the Cobourg Police Service should be accountable to the public and answer questions that are relevant to the community?”

Beatty’s answer came back that she had re-read the e-mail “multiple times.”

“First, Mayor Cleveland has taken many opportunities to speak about the Cobourg Police Service, in fact with you.

But as you correctly stated, I am the Mayor’s delegate on the Police Services Board. As such, as you are aware, as three previous Chair persons have told you the same thing, only the Chair of the Police Services Board can speak for the Board.

As far as Council, you are well aware that the Mayor speaks for Council.

All that said and in response to your question, “do you think the Cobourg Police Service should be accountable to the public and answer questions that are relevant to the community?” Yes, I believe the CPS is a transparent organization. There are times both operationally and investigatively public comment can’t always be immediately forthcoming. How information is disseminated is ultimately the purview of the Chief.  I need to be very clear that my response to your question is my personal opinion and I do not speak on behalf of Council in this regard.”

It was a well worded, political e-mail. Lots of words, but said very little.

Revealing there were suspicious fires in a press release won’t hurt the integrity of the investigation (if there is one). After all, if they were set, I assume the person who set them knows they did.

Beyond that, never did Today’s Northumberland ask about speaking on behalf of the Board. We asked specifically as her role as Deputy Mayor if she thought the police service should be accountable to the public and answer questions that are relevant to the community.

So, once again the question was posed, with the addition stating the e-mail was sent to the Deputy Mayor in her political role, not as her role on the PSB, so ,did she send the e-mail to anyone else including the Chief of Police or anyone else on the Board or service.

Her reply is confusing to say the least.

Even though the Deputy Mayor e-mailed back on the Town’s e-mail account, she stated it was her “personal opinion and my own words.”

Stating that, “in media and the public perception can be difficult to “switch hats.”

“I always state that I do not speak for the police board or council to make it very clear that I’m speaking as an individual.”

But speaking as an “individual” Beatty goes on to say she’s “ respecting media policies set out by both organizations.”

So, she’s talking as an individual, but going by media policies set by both organizations?

A follow-up question to Beatty who is also the Chair of the Downtown Business Improvement Association states, since there have been five fires in downtown Cobourg since June, “As Chair of the DBIA, would that not concern you along with police not issuing a release on any of the fires?”

It’s safe to say, given the responses, there will be another “two-step.”

The question originally sent to Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland and to Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty was very basic and frankly most people would think all it requires would be a one word answer.

Question: Do you think the Cobourg Police Service should be accountable to the public and answer questions that are relevant to the community?”

Anything other than a “yes” is a disservice to the community.  The question isn’t only about transparency, it’s about the safety of the citizens who live in the area.  Shouldn’t they be informed?

With millions of dollars on the budget and other big ticket items, it’s rather strange that a simple, basic question is so difficult to get a basic reply.

But it does give some insight why Council meetings go on for hours.

One final point – if Mayor Cleveland, Deputy Mayor Beatty and Councillor (Chair of the Police Services Board) Bureau are so keen to dismiss both valid safety concerns and questions from the public, the citizens of Cobourg may want to remember and consider that come election time.