By Dan Jones LJI
Northumberland 89.7 FM
The Alnwick/Haldimand municipal office in Grafton could reopen to the public as early as Monday, an official said Thursday.
The building was closed on June 8, after officials claimed senior staff were being targeted on social media, email, and through the municipal website.
The building itself was not equipped with safety barriers to block public access to staff offices. Now, the installation of appropriate safety protocols is nearly complete, according to Chief Administrative Officer Dave Dawson.
“When things escalated for us, staff received a direct threat through our township complaint form that targeted individuals and identified a harm to them. It’s not a criminal threat, but it is definitely a direct threat. When somebody’s personal well-being is spoken about in a harmful nature, then we’ve reached a point, we need to do something different,” Dawson told Robert Washburn of Consider This Northumberland.
Dawson said the Township has seen an increase in disruptive behaviour over the past few years, but that social media is fueling significant misinformation, where it is being weaponized for personal attacks. Council meetings were moved to Zoom to reduce staff exposure to the public.
“These threats are extremely troubling and entirely unacceptable. The incivility within our community must stop. Municipal staff work hard every day to serve residents, implement Council’s decisions, and provide the services that our community depends on. While we recognize that residents may sometimes disagree with decisions, policies, or projects, there is never any justification for threats, intimidation, harassment, or abusive behaviour directed toward municipal employees,” Mayor John Logel said in a press release.
While walk-in services were postponed, citizens could conduct business by phone or by appointment.
Hear this clip from Alnwick Haldimand Township CAO Dave Dawson’s interview with Consider This Northumberland:
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