A small number of individuals accounted for a significant share of Cobourg’s bylaw enforcement activity in July, according to figures presented to council.
Municipal Clerk Brent Larmer told council that the town’s six most frequent offenders were connected to 105 of 205 incidents recorded during the month. They also accounted for 109 of 221 calls for service, 24 of 37 tickets and 214 of the town’s 752 inspection and resource hours.
The resource hours associated with those six individuals came with a salary cost of about $9,247, compared with approximately $32,500 in total salary costs for the month.
Larmer said the top five reasons for bylaw calls in July were animal issues, parks, encampments, lot maintenance and parking.
One location identified as a particular hot spot was the parking lot at Trinity United Church. Reported issues there included obstructing sidewalks, alcohol and drug use, public urination and defecation, loitering, littering and animal-control concerns. There were also reports of bicycles, skateboards and scooters being operated on sidewalks, including occasional reckless operation.
The town’s security guards also recorded 217 incidents during the month. Of those, 34 were classified as significant and eight were considered critical, with incidents including medical episodes, fire, theft and intoxication.
Larmer said 77 per cent of the security incidents involved trespassing or people being escorted from municipal property.
The figures come as Cobourg continues to track the demand being placed on municipal enforcement and security resources.
