Cambridge, Ontario — The City of Cambridge has confirmed that full public access to City Hall and Council Chambers will resume on Tuesday, October 14, following the conclusion of a police investigation into a series of disruptive incidents involving a member of the public.
The reopening marks the end of a brief but intense security review, initiated after several incidents raised concerns about the safety of municipal staff and elected officials. City officials said the behaviour under investigation included threatening remarks, inappropriate conduct on City property, attempts to aggressively contact staff and Council members, and multiple instances of unauthorized access to restricted areas of City buildings.
Investigation Completed; Safety Measures Continue
In a statement issued Monday, the City said police had determined that no criminal charges would be laid, but emphasized that security protocols will remain in place. The municipality will maintain several precautionary measures to ensure a safe environment for employees, councillors, and members of the public attending meetings or accessing services.
According to the City, these measures include:
-
Staff training and updates to existing security protocols
-
Security personnel at City Hall and Council meetings
-
Bag checks at Council meetings
-
Controlled foot traffic and monitored access points throughout City Hall
-
Emergency preparedness training for Council and staff
-
Additional security enhancements to Council Chambers
City officials stated that these actions are designed to reinforce a long-term culture of safety and preparedness, balancing open public access with the need to protect municipal spaces and personnel.
“The safety of staff, Mayor, Council, and members of the public are always our top priority,” the City said in its release.
The enhanced measures will apply to all future in-person Council meetings and events held within City Hall.
Reopening Marks Return to Normal Operations
The first Council meeting under the new arrangements will take place in person on October 14, restoring the standard format for municipal governance. Officials confirmed that Council sessions will continue to be held in person going forward, following several months of heightened security protocols and restricted access.
“The Council meeting scheduled for October 14 will take place in person and meetings will continue to be held in person moving forward and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding,” the City said.
While the investigation has concluded, the City noted that several reports originally scheduled for the October 14 agenda were temporarily withdrawn during the security review. Those reports will be reintroduced “at a future meeting as soon as possible.”
A Broader Emphasis on Public Sector Safety
The situation highlights growing concerns across municipalities about safety in local government workplaces, particularly amid rising incidents of harassment and aggressive behaviour directed toward public servants.
Across Ontario, municipal councils have reported an increase in disruptive or threatening interactions during meetings and at public facilities. Many cities have responded with enhanced training for front-line staff and new visitor protocols designed to preserve accessibility while managing potential risks.
Cambridge’s decision to reopen City Hall while keeping a reinforced security presence in place aligns with this trend toward greater vigilance and proactive risk management. The City emphasized that it remains committed to open and transparent governance while ensuring safety for all participants in civic life.
“City leadership takes these incidents very seriously and implemented increased security measures out of an abundance of caution,” the statement read. “The safety of staff, Mayor, Council, and members of the public are always our top priority.”
Moving Forward
City administrators and Council members will continue to receive ongoing emergency and security training as part of the new safety plan. In addition, physical security infrastructure at City Hall and Council Chambers will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued effectiveness.
The City of Cambridge expressed appreciation to residents and stakeholders for their patience throughout the temporary closure period and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining accessible local government.
The reopening of City Hall marks a return to normal operations following what officials described as a “measured and precautionary” approach to public safety.
Members of the public planning to attend Council sessions are encouraged to arrive early to allow for bag checks and other screening measures.