Tuesday’s upcoming Cambridge city council meeting will be conducted virtually for safety and respect, as per the city’s recent announcement. This decision follows an unspecified “incident” on Monday involving a disruptive individual, leading to increased security measures at city hall.
Although the Waterloo Regional Police Service was informed about a threatening voicemail from a community member, no formal police intervention was required. The individual in question has been issued a trespass notice for city properties, with no current plans for criminal charges.
The city confirmed that the scheduled meeting will proceed as planned at 6:30 p.m., with a live stream available on the city’s YouTube channel. Steps have been taken to ensure a secure and respectful environment for council members, staff, and attendees.
Individuals intending to address councillors during the meeting will still have the opportunity to participate virtually. Eleven delegations were listed for the meeting, primarily discussing a motion by Coun. Scott Hamilton regarding the handling of homeless individuals during severe weather conditions.
To enhance safety at council meetings, a new policy requiring bag checks for all attendees entering city hall was implemented last week. This initiative aims to maintain a secure and inclusive environment, with guidance provided to attendees on the updated process.
The city emphasized that these security measures align with practices in other Canadian municipalities. Attendees carrying bags such as purses, backpacks, or briefcases should anticipate security screenings upon entry.
