‘I think it depends’: Is downtown Moncton a safe community?

Moncton leaders met to address demands to improve downtown safety.

A member of the Codiac Regional RCMP parked his vehicle at the corner of High and Dufferin streets Tuesday afternoon and watched over a handful of people in an empty lot that is known for open drug use.

One block away, a security guard keeps watch as students leave Edith Cavell School after the first day back to class.

The security company patrols the school grounds between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to make sure the property is safe and to move people along who shouldn’t be there between those hours.

That’s the reality downtown Moncton between St. George, High, Park and Weldon streets, an area that has been ground zero for drug use and crime in the city for years now.

Some feel safe in the neighbourhood, while others are weary.

Laurie Davis was waiting outside Edith Cavell to pick up her child after school.

She grew up in a larger city and is used to seeing crime, drug use and people living on the streets.

Davis believes downtown Moncton is a fairly safe community for the most part, but not always.

“I think it depends from which direction you look at it. I’ve seen a lot worse than this,” said Davis. “You do see issues. Of course there’s going to be issues. Would I love to see improvements? Definitely. I would love to feel like you could walk down any road at any time. Ideally, that’s what it would be. But unfortunately, right now, that’s not a reality.”

On Friday, CTV News spoke to downtown business owners who have witnessed a lot of crime and they want to see change.

Jo-Anne Phillips and her husband own rental properties close to the school and near the empty lot.

“We’ve had individuals cut their stay short because they didn’t feel safe in the neighbourhood,” said Phillips on Friday. “One of the individuals lives in New York City. He was here with his teenage daughters and his wife. They had intended to stay for 10 days, they left after two.”

Moncton Fire Department Chief Conrad Landry was part of a scheduled meeting on downtown safety and cleanliness Tuesday afternoon.

Landry, who is also in charge of by-law enforcement, said the city works closely with non-profit agencies on the homelessness issue.

He believes the municipal, provincial and federal governments need to work together as well as the business community to help make the downtown situation better.

“This is a large problem. Now, I think we’re in a position where we can manage it, but we need to solve it somehow,” said Landry.

Landry said a lot of times when someone sees a person who appears to be homeless they automatically think they’re up to no good.

“There are some homeless that are criminals, but not all criminals are homeless,” said Landry. “According to the RCMP there’s very little person-to-person crime from the homeless population. That’s their statistic. I think we need to report if you see something suspicious, but not to judge quickly that it’s unsafe because someone looks different than us.”

Davis said the homeless need opportunities to get the help that’s needed.

“To get them off the street, to open more doors and of course it’s going to help relieve crime situations. It’s going to make you feel safer on your streets,” said Davis. “Just like in any big city you run into the same issues and we’re seeing that in Moncton as well.”

Landry urged residents to call the RCMP if they see crime or open drug use.

“Sometimes people don’t call, they don’t think it’s worth it,” said Landry.

Department of Justice and Public Safety spokesperson Jadesola Emmanuel said the province continues to work with local leaders across New Brunswick to discuss crime, policing and community safety.

“Addressing these issues is a complex issue that many government departments, law enforcement and stakeholders are working on,” said Emmanuel in an email to CTV News.

Emmanuel said the Addictions and Mental Health Court program that was announced in June will connect participants to the appropriate community supports and services which could include housing.

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