Citizen Questions Police Role in Local Public Meetings

A North Bay resident is expressing increasing concern regarding the presence of armed police at local public meetings. This situation has arisen for the third time in recent years, prompting questions about the implications for community engagement.

Concerns About Police Presence at Public Meetings

Granville Arseneault, a local resident, raised his concerns following a recent meeting held at Cassellholme. This event marked the third instance in which police were visible at a public forum.

Previous Instances of Police Involvement

• The first instance occurred during an NNDSB meeting concerning a proposed name change for Chippewa High School.
• The second instance took place at the city council meeting on August 12, where police presence was felt during resident protests.
• The most recent incident coincided with another public meeting, raising alarms about the normalization of police at such gatherings.

During the August 12 meeting, Arseneault noted that he was the sole protester outside City Hall. He remarked that no inquiries were made regarding his presence, particularly by law enforcement.

Questions Raised by Local Residents

With the ongoing presence of police during community meetings, Arseneault posed several critical questions:

• Was the police presence requested, or did they arrive independently?
• Is this a sign that police involvement will become standard at local public meetings?
• Will council members publicly address the treatment of their colleagues, specifically referencing King, Lowry, and Mayne?

These questions underline a broader concern about the role of law enforcement in community affairs and the potential chilling effect on public participation.

Context and Reactions

On October 29, police were called to another city council meeting when a member of the audience urged Mayor Peter Chirico to resign while he defended his expenses. This incident further accentuates the ongoing tension between residents and local government officials.

As the discussion around police presence at public meetings continues, residents will be closely watching for responses from city leaders regarding these significant concerns.