City wants Mounties to do more about open drug use in Moncton

The City of Moncton wants the RCMP to do more about open air drug use in the downtown core.

A downtown Moncton park at the corner of St. George and Cameron streets is a well-known space for open air drug use and the city wants something done about it.

Moncton Deputy Mayor Paulette Thériault recently wrote to Supt. Benoit Jolette, the head of the Codiac Regional RCMP, advising them business owners and citizens are concerned about open drug use throughout the city and saying action is needed.

“Being homeless, living rough in the community or being an addict is not a crime,” said Jolette. “We can’t solve this issue just by enforcing acts and arresting people. It’s a much broader issue.”

The RCMP sent a news release Wednesday stating they will be increasing patrols in response to those concerns.

Jolette said the plan is to intensify patrols and increase their visibility.

“We’re out there. We’re doing everything we can to educate people on where and where not to consume. We’re not going to change an addict’s mind of using those illicit drugs, but we can point them in the right direction towards addiction services and the safe injection clinic for example,” said Jolette.

City Councillor Charles Leger says open air drug use has been talked about in council numerous times.

“It’s been rather disappointing the response from the RCMP with respect to over and over again mentioning what was happening visually on our streets,” said Leger.

Leger understands it is a social issue and there is only so much the police can do, but something needs to change.

“It is illegal to do drugs, drink alcohol on our streets. So if you can’t arrest them at least what you can do is discourage the behaviour,” said Leger.

“Whether it be crystal meth, cocaine, fentanyl or even illicit cannabis, it is illegal to posses that. So, when our members do find people that are consuming in the public or any area we have the authority to detain, potentially arrest, search, seize those drugs, destroy those drugs,” said Jolette. “But we have to realize that we are limited by certain statutes and court processes.”

Leger said the RCMP is very good at responding to emergencies and keeping people safe, but he would like them to intervene more and have more interaction with the community.

“The police are trying, however, what citizens are saying is it’s not enough,” said Leger.

Codiac Regional Policing Authority [CRPA] chair Don Moore doesn’t believe there are enough police officers for Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

According to a report done by the CRPA last year, Codiac was short 46 police officers.

They’re in the process of hiring 17 this year and the plan is to continue with 15 in 2026 and 14 the following year, he said.

Moore said all crimes are serious when it comes to safety and security.

“We don’t rank them in an order if you will. Obviously when it’s crimes against a person the police have to go and deal with that stuff first, but we want to make sure all crime is being tackled in our community, not just major crime, but the stuff of people getting propane tanks and other things stolen on their properties,” said Moore.

Jolette believes the downtown core is safe.

“Absolutely. As a father and a husband myself, I have no concerns for the safety of the downtown. However, it’s like any medium or larger city. You have to take care of yourself and avoid potentially negative situations,” said Jolette.

Moncton’s top cop said random acts of violence are unusual.

“We rarely see that. In the six years that I’ve been here, I think it’s two or three times we’ve had a random act of violence,” said Jolette.

Jolette wants people to call police if they see any illegal activity because they simply can’t be at every intersection and park all the time.

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