Breaking News – Cobourg Police Services Board Condemns Mayor’s Budget Citing “Reckless Proposals”

Cobourg Police Services Board (“CPSB”) Chair and Cobourg councillor Adam Bureau, will be joined by his CPSB colleagues, condemned Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland’s reckless proposals surrounding the Cobourg Police Service’s (“CPS”) budget.

“What the CPSB is observing is an uninformed and frankly reckless attempt to position his re-election next year at the cost of public safety in Cobourg,” Bureau declared.

“Ultimately, what the Mayor is proposing, under a dubious interpretation of his limited strong mayor powers, is to raid the operating reserves of the CPS, leaving the Chief of Police with absolutely no contingencies to fund large investigations, major events, or emergency situations.”

“In over seven years of holding public office in Cobourg, I have never observed a proposal that is so blatantly careless,” Bureau added.

The CPSB has determined, in consultation with CPS Chief Paul Vandegraaf, that the Mayor’s proposals, if adopted, would compel reductions in service and personnel at a time when the public requires more frontline policing than ever before due to the challenges of modern policing in Ontario.

Mayor Cleveland’s proposed budget simply delays budget needs for 2026 to 2027 and beyond, while funding shortfalls will affect personnel, equipment, and technology acquisitions, as well as capacities to investigate and pursue major criminal investigations and apprehensions.

“This is clearly an attempt to present a scheme to Cobourg residents of a low-cost budget in an election year, when it is a classic case of financial illiteracy and mismanagement.”

The CPSB has begun consideration of contingencies in the event Mayor Cleveland’s proposals are adopted, including unnecessary and expensive appeals. Any pursuit in arbitration, conciliation, and review will divert valuable time and money away from CPS’s core mandate to protect the public.

“With Mayor Cleveland’s attempt at misdirection, Cobourg residents will pay more, get less, and all for avoidable reasons,” noted Bureau.

The CPSB will communicate any next steps in challenging the Mayor’s proposals once the budget review and ultimate decision of Cobourg Town Council are taken.