In the past couple of weeks, the town of Cobourg, Ontario has experienced a rapid escalation in violence and crime, which has been steadily increasing for years. Six years ago, Jamie Briscoe witnessed someone smoking drugs near his home, and now it has become a daily occurrence. The entire area has deteriorated, with garbage strewn about, constant screaming and fighting, and a general sense of chaos. The problems seem to be centered around a homeless shelter in the area, but it’s not only Briscoe’s neighborhood that has been affected. A growing homeless encampment has been moving around the city, with smaller groups of tents becoming a regular sight.
Recent events have highlighted the severity of the situation. On September 22, Briscoe was attacked and beaten unconscious in his own driveway, leaving him terrified for the safety of his children. The following day, a young man smashed a rock through the front door of the Cobourg Police Service Station and assaulted an officer. On September 25, shots were fired into a Pizza Pizza shop, and on the 28th, a man taking his daughter to choir practice was assaulted near the homeless shelter. These incidents have caused great concern among the residents of Cobourg, who gathered for a rally to call for stronger action from authorities.
Cobourg, known as “Ontario’s feel-good town,” has transformed over the years. It was once a peaceful weekend getaway for city dwellers, but now residents have lost their sense of safety. Drug addiction has become more prevalent, with a noticeable increase in the number of people strung out on drugs. This shift began around 2018 when advocacy groups started promoting a harm-reduction approach to drug use in the town. The Transition House shelter, which used to serve families in need, changed its nature to become an adult-only, low-barrier emergency shelter. This change allowed for fewer limits on what a person could do there and contributed to the rise in public drug use in the vicinity.
The issue of homelessness and shelter space has become a pressing concern in Ontario. A court case in Waterloo set a precedent that homeless encampments could not be removed without low-barrier shelter space being available for those displaced. This decision has implications for Cobourg, as well. The county responsible for shelter space has expanded capacity, including overflow motel spaces, but the encampment residents claim they have not been adequately supported. They simply want a safe place to rest their heads. While there have been some complaints about noise and occasional theft, security at the encampment has managed to maintain a relatively peaceful environment.
The encampment is located near multiple schools and a retirement home, raising concerns about the safety of those in the surrounding area. Incidents of theft, such as stolen bikes, have been reported. Some residents, like Rick Lovekin, have been forced to move out of their homes due to the deteriorating situation. This has caused financial hardships and devalued their properties. The lack of notice about the low-barrier shelter’s opening has added to the frustration for residents.
The situation in Cobourg has raised significant concerns about the town’s well-being and the safety of its residents. Stronger action and support from authorities are needed to address the escalating violence and crime that has plagued the town in recent years.