In a stunning interview Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland announced that he wants criminal activity associated with homelessness gone from the town.
On Monday, January 26, 2026 IHARC (Integrated Homelessness & Addictions Response Centre) Executive Director Jordan Stevenson tested traces of substances in the men’s and women’s washroom which were confirmed to be Fentanyl.
In a interview on January 28, 2026 at his office, Cleveland stated he won’t be making any comment about the story, but stated, “we here in the Town of Cobourg have an incredibly small (five employees), dedicated and professional maintenance team.”
“They do an incredible job of making sure all of our Town buildings are clean and safe.”
Shortly after Cleveland stated, “we continue to ensure the safety of our residents and staff within this building to the best of our ability.”
Cleveland said Cobourg has taken a variety of steps over three years, “to prevent any illegal activities from occurring in our bathrooms to protect our workers and our community as a whole.”
Most recently the Town has hired a security guard for the foyer of Victoria Hall.
Cleveland stated none of the issues taking place in Victoria Hall are new. Staff have been working on the problem for nearly three years.
In a number of social media posts it has been inferred that Cleveland’s proposal of a day time warming room in Cobourg is because 2026 is an election year.
Cleveland firmly denies that statement.
“Electioneering has got to be the most ridiculous – the Cobourg community is very well aware that I’ve been fighting against these types of illegal activities for three years.”
“I want the criminal activity I see on a daily basis out of Victoria Hall. I want the criminal activity I see on a daily basis out of the downtown core and I want the criminal activity I see on a daily basis out of Cobourg.”
Inside the walls of Victoria Hall, Cleveland said what’s he’s witnessed, “are not just horrifying, but they are outright criminal.”
“We cannot have a child walking into one of our current public washrooms, given what some may believe, are waiting for them inside.”
Cleveland said it’s time for the community to “push back against the narrative of drug advocates.”
“We need to push back against those who support this drug industrial complex.”
“Using this term “homeless” to excuse or justify, or even worse exonerate what is actually criminal behaviour has got to stop.”
Cleveland said he’s actually tired of listening to it.
“We have to stop excusing criminal behaviour because of a person’s situation.”
Time and time again Cleveland has stated that Cobourg does not have the staffing, funding, or expertise to be running social service programs.
“Given what is being spent on policing, bylaw security and legal challenges, the reality is that it’s becoming economically unattainable for taxpayers in Cobourg to keep footing the bill.”
“Despite what a lot of utopian fantasists may tell you, the problem of criminal drug activity will never, ever be solved by the affordable housing solutions.”
Explaining that those addicted to dangerous criminal drugs, “will not be given free homes or rent at such a small price that it makes it untenable by any government. Nor would they have the capacity to look after these homes.”
Cleveland said he’s been trying for months to have a review of Northumberland Counties Social Services policies- to no avail.
If the review of the policies doesn’t take place, “I’m going to be asking the Province of Ontario to conduct its own independent review of this department.”
“I continue to believe that it is not only in Cobourg’s best interest, but in the interest of all of Northumberland County that we do not accept the normalization of any criminal activity as defined under Federal and Provincial law.”
Cleveland raises a number of questions that he hasn’t be able to get answers from the County.
1. Why did the County staff and council in full and complete knowledge – that our emergency shelter has been at full capacity – why are the social service experts not consider a motion about opening up a warming room that is available 24-hours.
2. Why did social services open up a warming room they knew would not be allowed to be open 24-hours a day?
3. Why is it that the Executive Director of Transition House has now gone on to multiple media channels including the CBC and state that he doesn’t have any intention of communicating with Cobourg By-Law as per previous orders regarding the ECE?
4. Why was there an inability by (Northumberland County) upper tier regional government with more than three times the staff of Cobourg and a budget of $200 million annually where it appeared no one was able to understand the difference of a buildings occupancy load and a license for that building?
Cleveland sums it up by saying, “we have to start saying no to criminal activity and the reality is, that’s everywhere in Cobourg.”
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
