“Shocking” is one word that could describe the encampment at the former Brookside Youth Centre in Cobourg.
Today’s Northumberland took a walkabout on what is hoped to be one of the final day’s of the encampment at 390 King Street East for over a year.
Most of the tents are empty, most of the residents are gone, but during the walk through on Friday, November 8, 2024 there were at least two people. One person spoke with Today’s Northumberland and said she has hopes for being housed, but nothing is certain.
Some areas of the encampment look more like a junkyard .
Every type of bicycle part can be found nearly anywhere within site of the encampment.
Most tents or structures are now filled with what seems to be garbage.
Speaking of tents, it’s believed most of the tents were supplied by people who believed they were helping the individuals.
Today’s Northumberland would never doubt they had the best of intentions, but did they really “help” or just enable?
Empty propane tanks are scattered around the area, at least two wood stoves were set up and had been working recently.
At least three lawnmowers, parts of a engine – even a trailer hitch.
One very concerning item was a covered generator that was also working just a few days ago. Nearby, a number of gas cans. A tarp over the generator appears to have been burned somewhat, but appeared to have been extinguished. Nearby were three empty fire extinguishers.
If this is truly the end of the encampment, it’s only be a sheer miracle that people weren’t killed.
Whether services like the fire department weren’t allowed, or just turned a blind eye to violations that surely would have been dealt with if it were anywhere else but on Provincial lands.
Rules, laws are set in place for a reason. If they can’t be enforced – what’s the sense of having them.
If there had been a tragedy, whose responsibility would it fall under if laws weren’t enforced?
There were numerous shopping carts around the area – some filled, some empty.
Cobourg Police were on a mission earlier this year to have a round-up of shopping carts.
That public awareness must have come and gone because no one seemed to care about these.
At the time, they even published name/s of people who were in possession of them.
Made a great press release at the time, but must be yesterday’s news.
Two bow-and-arrows were found at various locations throughout the encampment.
One was made of wood, but the other was made of steel cable and a wire.
Local police were just outside the entrance to the encampment. Today’s Northumberland let the officers know about the items and shortly after the bow-and-arrows were taken by police.
On Wednesday, November 13, 2024 it’s believed the property will change hands. At that point, signs will likely go up giving who is left living at the encampment a 72-hour notice. It’s been done in the past at other local encampments and will likely happen here.
But who will clean up the mess, the garbage, the tents?
Perception wise – it might be an idea for those people that brought residents of the encampment tents, water, propane, harm reduction supplies, food and other supplies that were needed to till now, to step up and do the hard work and clean-up.
Even with the best of intentions – someone has to clean-up what’s behind.
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
