Port Hope Police Report

Port Hope Police officers have responded to 64 calls for service since July 3rd 2017. The following is submitted for release.

Man charged for being intoxicated in a public place.

A 65 year old Port Hope man was taken into custody after Port Hope Police were called to the area of the Library on Queen St on July 4th shortly before 4:30pm. When Police arrived they located a man heavily intoxicated. He was held in custody for his on safety until he was sober. He was fined 65.00 for being intoxicated in a public place.

Possible Fraud

A Port Hope couple were surprised with a $1,500 invoice from Reliance Home Comfort. The couple reported to Police the invoice was from an area they never had lived. The couple were referred to Reliance Customer Service at 1-866-365-1218. Police advise local citizens if anyone receives an invoice from Reliance Home Comfort that they are questioning, to call customer services at the above number.    

Man arrested after surety was revoked.

A 20 year old former Port Hope man was arrested at the Cobourg Court House after his surety withdrew from the record and his bail was revoked by a Justice of the Peace. On the 6th of July shortly after 3:00pm, Port Hope Police, who hold the current charges against the man for allegations of break enter and theft and possession of stolen property, attended the Court House and took the man into custody. He is being held for a show cause hearing which will take place this date.

Canada's Best Places to Live

MoneySense's 2017 Survey of Canada's Best Places To Live saw Cobourg's ranking fall from 22nd place last year to 113.  Last year's survey was based on 219 communities.  However, 200 plus cities were added to the mix this year.

In Ontario, Cobourg was ranked 50th out of a total of 150.

MoneySense's rankings are based on categories such as a robust economy, high wealth and incomes, home affordability, low taxes, transit friendly, health accessibility, low crime, arts and community, and nice weather.  Cobourg's top features in 2017 were the economy, weather and low crime.

The best place to live in Canada according to the survey is Ottawa.

Cobourg Sexual Assault Reported

On July 5, 2017, Cobourg Police officers were made aware of a sexual assault that occurred outside of a local West end business the previous evening, July 4, 2017 after 9:00PM.

Cobourg Police officers were advised that a female was approached, by a male believed to be in his 50’s.  The female was in her personal vehicle in the parking lot at the time. Overtures were made toward the female and then she was assaulted.  The suspect male left the area in a van, after the assault.

No physical injuries have resulted as part of this assault, and members of the Cobourg Police Criminal Investigations unit are actively pursuing leads.  No further information will be forthcoming right away, the active investigation is progressing.

UPDATE:

On the 11th day of July, 2017 an arrest was made in this incident. Gary VATERS, 63 years old from Bobcaygeon has been charged with one count of Sexual Assault contrary to Section 271 of the Criminal Code. Gary VATERS is being held for bail court on the 11th day of July, 2017 at 1:30 PM at the Ontario Court of Justice, 860 William Street in the Town of Cobourg.

Summer Company Student Project

Twelve candidates from a pool of 40 were accepted this year into Northumberland County's Summer Company project, which launched Wednesday morning at Staples Cobourg location.  Eligible students are aged 15-29 and start and run their own business over the summer with mentorship and a $3,000 provincial micro grant administered by the County.  This year's business winners include lawn care, jewelry making, gluten free baking, artist, computer repair, personal fitness and handmade clothing.

DBIA Signs Lease With Cobourg

Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier proclaimed "What's good for the DBIA is good for Cobourg." With that, the Mayor and DBIA Chair Adam Bureau signed a joint venture contract on Tuesday afternoon that will see the DBIA housed alongside Cobourg Tourism in the Market Building to the south of Victoria Hall. The Mayor said that working with downtown business is in line with the Town's strategic plan and will be a big step in ensuring downtown vitalization.

A Lost Opportunity?

There is a building at 415 King Street West in Cobourg (the corner of Tremaine and King). It is now abandoned and deteriorating due to neglect.  Munitions manufacturer Cooeysold it to Winchester in the late 1950's and later in 1970 to Southam Newspapers, the publisher of the Cobourg Star took occupancy. When the newspaper departed 1995, the building has remained derelict. A foreign owner purchased the property in 2007 but did not pay taxes or do any maintenance. Scott Glover of Glover and Co. recently showed interest in building "rental lofts" on the site but found that the site was contaminated. He tried to make a deal with the Town but was turned down.

What followed gives rise to some exceptional journalism by Cobourg Internet News blogger John Draper. In a release published July 4, 2017, Draper reports what he was told by Scott Glover:

I'm a local landlord and occasional developer. I commissioned phase 1 and 2 environmental studies at 415 King with the intention of buying the site and developing rental lofts there. When the contamination levels were found to be far higher than anticipated I approached the town about contributing to the clean-up. I've walked away from the project so the town will end up owning the property for back taxes and paying the entire remediation bill.

My suggestion to the town was for them to contribute 25% of remediation costs up to a maximum of $200,000 which was the amount of back taxes they would have collected if my purchase had gone through. The remediation will require the removal of all of the soil on the 2 acre site. About 500 truck loads.

I had 23 bore holes drilled [they all failed MoE Standards] and installed 4 test wells on the site which show that the soil contamination has polluted the ground water. Until the site is stripped that contamination continues to spread into the creek and lake. The town has the data proving this.

Glover was able to get Winchester to pledge money toward the clean-up despite the fact that Winchester’s ownership ended over 40 years ago. Glover continued:

... the town just repeats the same mantra of not wanting to set a precedent of subsidizing a private developer. They fail to consider that the only alternative is to expropriate the land for back taxes and pay for 100% of the clean-up while they lose another 5-10 years of tax revenue and are left with another white elephant like the Tannery.

 Back taxes are more than the property is currently worth and if development were to proceed it  would generate $50,000 per year in property taxes. Is this a missed opportunity for the Town? Section 106(3) of the Municipal Act prevents Towns from subsidizing developers by way of tax breaks or waivers of development fees. This was the argument raised by the Cobourg Taxpayers Association in opposing a grant to the Northumberland Medical Arts building when the developers of that project came forward asking for a development fee waiver.

John Draper puts forward another position: “It's true that subsidizing a private developer would not be a good thing …but perhaps a deal could be made that forgives some back taxes in exchange for remediation being done. The money will be lost anyway. Forgiving back taxes (lost money) is not the same as forgiving new development charges - surely a policy can be developed that would cover this situation. Otherwise, this site would be another white elephant and taxpayers will be paying to fix it as well as never getting the back taxes.” [Photo credit: John Draper]

Port Hope Police Report

Thefts from vehicles

Port Hope Police are investigating more thefts from unlocked vehicles. On the 26th of June a Hodgson street resident reported her vehicle entered and small change removed.  On the 28th of Police were called to a Percival Street residence where a homeowner noted his vehicle had been entered. Small change and vehicle documents were taken.  It is believed the vehicle was entered overnight. Again on the 28th of June a Ralston resident reported his vehicle entered and rummaged through but nothing appeared to have been taken. . Police remind residents to lock their vehicles when not in use.

Man charged under noise by law.

After three calls a Jarvis street man was charged under the noise by law for a noisy party.  Police responded to the residence at 11:07 pm on the 30th of June and were again called back on the 1st of July at 1:00am and 2:19am. The man was charged with unlawfully causing the emission of sound.

Windows Damaged at Port Hope High School.

On the 2nd of July shortly after 8:00pm Port Hope Police were called to the Port Hope High school regarding damaged windows.  Police noted that windows were damaged but not fully smashed.  Beer bottles were found at the scene.  Police believe the bottles were used to damage the windows. Anyone with information is asked to call Port Hope Police.

MVC involving Port Hope Transit

Port Hope Police are investigating a Motor Vehicle Collision that occurred on the 30th of June involving a Port Hope transit bus. Police were called to the intersection of Hope Street and Peter Street shortly before 3:00pm. Investigation revealed   the Bus was driving westbound on Peter Street and attempted to turn south on Hope Street. At that time an eastbound vehicle collided into the bus at it turned. The bus had passengers on board. Three people were transported to Hospital with minor injuries and were treated and released.  Police are continuing the investigation and charges are pending.

Cobourg Police Weekly Report

Between Monday June 26, 2017 and Sunday July 2, 2017 the Cobourg Police Service responded to 197 calls for service including 10 Noise Complaints, 1 Mental Health related, 10 Alarms,1 Fraud, 13 Thefts,4  911 Calls, 3 Assaults, 7 Motor Vehicle Collisions and 5 Liquor Licence Act.

Here is a summary of the week;

Monday June 26, 2017

-          Police responded to a report of two shoplifters at a north end business. As a result of an investigation, 37 year old Rachel KELLY was arrested and charged with Theft under $5000, Fail to comply with Recognizance x 2, Obstruct Police and Possession of property obtained by crime.

-          Police were called to a Cobourg residence in response to a Stolen vehicle. Upon investigation, it was determined that the stolen vehicle had actually been borrowed with permission and was deemed to be a civil issue between friends.

Tuesday June 27, 2017

-          Police received a complaint of theft at a north end business. The owner told police that unknown person(s) had stolen a license plate from one of the business vehicles. Investigation continuing.

-          A local business called police to report that a 7 year old boy had attended his store alone and was concerned about him. The boy was transported home to his residence by police to his family.

Wednesday June 28, 2017 

-          Police received an animal complaint regarding a family of raccoons on King Street. The complainant was concerned about children walking to school as the raccoons appeared to be staying in the downtown area. Animal control was contacted.

-          A man contacted the police to report an attemptedfraud that had taken place when he was selling a ring on Kijiji. The buyer sent more money than the ring was worth and the seller felt concerned that the buyer was going to request the remainder be sent back.

Thursday June 29, 2017

-          Police responded to a north end shopping plaza for a report of a theft. The business owner told police that a trailer parked on the property had been entered and items had been stolen from inside. Investigation continuing.  

-          Police were dispatched to the downtown area in response to a 911 hang up phone call. Police attended and observed the phone was off the receiver with no one around. 

Friday June 30, 2017

-          Police were called to a west end home for a noise complaint. Police attended and the loud music that was playing was turned down.

-          A female resident called police to report a possible intoxicated male walking in front of the court house. Police attended and determined the male was not intoxicated after all. 

Saturday July 1, 2017

-          Cobourg police we called to the area of King Street and Third Street in response to a two dogs being left in an unattended vehicle. The owner was located and removed the dogs.

-          Police received a report of a male who was extremely intoxicated at the Cobourg Marina. The male was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated by a doctor. The male was also charged under the Liquor License Act for being intoxicated in a public place. 

Sunday July 2, 2017

-          Police received a report of a male who was extremely intoxicated in the east end of Cobourg on the street. The male was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated by a doctor. The male was also charged under the Liquor License Act for being intoxicated in a public place.

-          Police were dispatched to the Cobourg beach in response to a missing 3 year old boy. The boy was located safe by a life guard and was returned to his relieved mother.