Group calls for Miramichi, N.B., park to be fenced off due to drug use, vandalism

NB Power is investigating an act of vandalism which caused nearly 1,100 customers to lose electricity.

A group representing downtown businesses in Miramichi, N.B., has called for a city park to be fenced off, citing concerns about safety and sanitation.

Tiffany Gallivan, president of the Downtown Newcastle Business District, says incidents of vandalism, public drug use and erratic behavior have escalated through the summer Queen Elizabeth Park.

“There’s been an influx of discarded needles, busted up crack pipes and the general amount of blood that we’ve been finding in the park, on benches,” said Gallivan.

Photos and video have been posted by the business district on its Facebook page, showing property damage, garbage and remnants of small fires.

Gallivan said other incidents include individuals urinating and defecating in and around the grounds of the park. Gallivan has called for the park to be fenced off until officials “really find out whether or not that soil and space is contaminated, and if we can get a handle on the needles and open drug use.”

City of Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon agreed there has been a visible increase in vandalism and drug use around downtown Newcastle over the past several months.

“It’s become something that is untenable,” said Lordon. “As a city we’re very concerned about this.

“We agree, it’s out of hand and we’ve already taken some steps in terms of increased police presence and activity to try to get some of these things under control, and there’s a lot more work to do.”

Lordon said fencing off Queen Elizabeth Park isn’t being explored by the city at this time.

“I’ve not seen any data that would indicate that would be helpful at all in addressing drug use or incidents of criminality,” said Lordon.

On Tuesday night, Miramichi Police Force Chief Brian Cummings told mayor and council that surveillance cameras had been installed in the area, along with added police patrols by foot and bike.

“You might not necessarily see those members because they are in plain clothes,” said Cummings. “It is an ongoing situation that unfortunately I don’t see a resolve to overnight. But I think we will get there as time goes on.”

Cummings said the police force’s Integrated Enforcement Unit made “a significant seizure” of drugs on Tuesday with an arrest made. Cummings didn’t offer specific details about what kind of drugs were seized, nor if any charges had been filed.

Council asked Chief Cummings if hiring private security in downtown Newcastle was an option. Cummings said it was an idea he was open to exploring, but added some individuals “become very defiant knowing (private security) may not have all the power and means to get to a proper resolve.”

After Cummings spoke, councillors passed a motion for the city police force to report back with a public safety plan for downtown Newcastle.

A public meeting on the topic had previously been scheduled for Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kin Centre.

Gallivan said an online survey conducted last month by the business district received more than 800 responses, and a second survey was now accepting responses.

“In the last eight weeks it’s been a tidal wave of concerned citizens who are not feeling heard,” said Gallivan.

Both Lordon and Gallivan acknowledged the issue has brought growing friction between the downtown business association and city hall.

Gallivan said citizens and business owners who’ve voiced concerns have been accused of not being compassionate about addiction and mental health, while Lordon said false and misleading information has put a strain on local non-profit groups.

Both Lordon and Gallivan agreed the provincial and federal government have a larger role to play in finding solutions, from providing more addiction and mental health resources to toughening up Canada’s Criminal Code.

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