City of Pembroke asking for civility toward municipal staff after incident last week

Pembroke City Hall. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Pembroke has issued a statement to residents, reminding them that municipal workers have a right to a safe workplace.

A note went out Friday from the city, saying staff have the right to perform their duties in a safe and respectful environment.

“Violence, threats, harassment, and abusive behaviour toward City staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said Chief Administrative Officer Dave Unrau in a media release.

“If residents have concerns or complaints, the proper channels to raise them are through the City’s ‘Report A Concern’ portal or by contacting the mayor at [e-mail],” he said.

Unrau told CTV News Ottawa that, with construction season ramping up, it was a good time to remind the public to respect workers, but he did not elaborate on the incident that prompted the notice.

The Ontario Provincial Police said they were called Friday after a pedestrian reportedly yelled and threw a coffee at a snow plow operator after getting splashed by the vehicle. Police said no damage was caused.

Unrau said his notice comes on the heels of the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors warning of escalating threats on the job.

“Over the past several winter seasons, the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) has heard from members across the province about a troubling and escalating trend: aggressive and dangerous behaviour from members of the public directed at municipal workers and subcontractors maintaining roads, sidewalks, and other critical infrastructure,” a news release on Feb. 6 said.

“What was once the occasional frustrated complaint has evolved into a growing safety risk that is disrupting operations and, in some cases, forcing workers off job sites altogether.”

AORS is calling on the Province of Ontario to strengthen protections for municipal workers and subcontractors and to take a proactive enforcement approach.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App