The increased enforcement in Cobourg’s parks and surrounding areas over the past few weeks is a positive and welcome start. Residents have been asking for action, and they are finally seeing it.
The more visible presence of police officers and by-law enforcement in the downtown core and Victoria Park has provided reassurance that concerns raised by the community are being taken seriously.
But let’s not fool ourselves into believing enforcement alone will solve the problem.
Police can enforce the law and restore order, but they cannot solve the complex issues of homelessness, addiction, and mental health on their own. That responsibility extends to social service agencies, mental health providers, addiction support services, Northumberland County, and provincial and federal governments.
As Cobourg Police Chief Chris Leather has pointed out, much of the work takes place behind the scenes after an arrest or enforcement action—work the public rarely sees.
Every arrest means officers are pulled off the streets. Whether it involves executing a warrant, dealing with a fail-to-comply charge, or making an arrest for drug possession, the work is only beginning once the handcuffs are on. Investigations, interviews, evidence handling, and detailed paperwork are all essential to ensuring charges stand up in court. That process can take hours.
Then there are the practical realities. If someone is arrested on a warrant from another jurisdiction, decisions have to be made about transportation. Does Cobourg Police dedicate officers to transport that person to Belleville, Toronto, or another municipality? Is the offence serious enough to justify removing two officers from local patrol for several hours? Those are operational decisions that affect policing resources every day.
If the individual remains in custody in Cobourg, additional staffing may be required to monitor prisoners, often calling in a Special Constable. That comes with additional costs and further strains on already limited resources.
These are the realities of policing that many people never see.
The reality is also that one of the greatest challenges remains unchanged: people who need help must be willing to accept it. Outreach workers, shelters, addiction services, and mental health professionals can only do so much if those services are refused.
The current enforcement efforts deserve support because they are making a difference. But they also raise an important question. If people are simply moved from Victoria Park to the next block or another nearby location, has the underlying problem really been solved?
The answer is no.
Enforcement can restore order and improve public safety, but it cannot, by itself, change lives. Lasting solutions require continued policing alongside accessible housing, addiction treatment, mental health services, and long-term support for those prepared to accept it.
And for those who are ready to take that first step, help should be available without unnecessary barriers. If those services are lacking, the responsibility rests not with frontline police officers, but with the governments and agencies responsible for funding, delivering, and coordinating those supports.
Cobourg has taken an important first step. Residents are seeing action, and that should be acknowledged.
But if this community truly wants lasting change, enforcement must be the beginning of the conversation—not the end of it. There is still a long road ahead, and success will ultimately be measured not by how many people are moved from one park to another, but by how many are given a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives.
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
