Fredericton safety task force calls for increased police presence in business districts

The Fredericton Community Safety Task Force made dozens of recommendations in its recent report.

Fredericton’s Community Safety Task Force is calling for an increased police presence in the city’s business districts and for a dedicated petty crime unit.

Last December, the Fredericton City Council created the task force, which consists of Mayor Kate Rogers, former MP Jenica Atwin, Police Chief Gary Forward, Dr. Heather Logan with Horizon Health, Morgan Peters from the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Marcel LeBrun from 12 Neighbours Community and more.

The goal of the task force is to provide recommendations to city council on actions it can take to improve community safety. The group released its report on Tuesday.

“Discovered through the work of the Task Force was that, while everyone was well-intentioned, focus was not being adequately directed toward root causes, such as lack of adequate housing, poverty, mental health and substance use disorders,” the report reads. “Rather, the response was being inadequately concentrated on outcomes, such as crime and homelessness.

“The Task Force aimed to address both the situation that the community is presently experiencing, as well as the root cause.”

The task force made 47 total recommendations in its report, looking at areas of housing, access to care, the justice system, policing, crime prevention and public safety infrastructure.

“Each of these recommendations, all 47, are intended to reduce gaps in areas where they’ve been identified as problematic, to build the partnership so that there’s not just one or two entites in place responding to different socio-economic issued, ” said Fredericton Police Chief Gary Forward.

The group recommends an increased police and security presence in business districts, along with cameras at transit stops and improved lighting on trails and streets. It’s also calling for the establishment of a dedicated unit for petty crime.

Other key recommendations include:

• securing federal funding for security infrastructure
• developing a public safety camera strategy using business and residential footage
• enhancing neighbourhood watch programs
• training businesses and residents in de-escalation and safety awareness
• renewing a public sharps disposal program
• research and developing a prolific offender strategy
• expanding mental health courts provincewide
• exploring bail reforms for repeat offenders
• increasing mental health and addiction support services in correctional facilities
• creating a 24/7 mobile outreach unit
• expanding detox and rehab bed availability
• facilitating the construction of 200 ultra-low barrier transitional housing units
• providing funding for 12 Neighbours Courtyard concept

“In the absence of the type of forward momentum suggested in the recommendations, society will increasingly rely on existing systems to survive and function, leading to higher crime rates and incarceration,” the report reads. “Youth criminal activities will rise, there will be increased demand for emergency services, and government and police will continue to be reactive. Burnout will occur for those working with this population and the community’s sense of safety will continue to erode, increasing the risk of vigilantism.

“In looking at the costs associated with any of these recommendations, we must consider the cost of doing nothing, including both the financial costs and the mental and emotional toll on individuals.”

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