A group of Moncton, N.B., business owners, property managers and landlords have formed a coalition demanding government action on crime in the downtown area. The Enough is Enough Coalition sent a news release Monday announcing its campaign to demand action from the municipal, provincial and federal government on what it calls “an alarming” rise in crime in downtown Moncton. Coalition spokesperson Patrick Gillespie, who is also the president of Ashford Properties, called the situation in the downtown core a crisis. “I could tour you around. I’ve got broken windows all over the place. I’ve got graffiti and garbage strewn everywhere. That’s not fair. We’re citizens, we deserve to be safe,” said Gillespie in an interview with CTV News. The coalition is estimating downtown businesses and landlords are absorbing millions of dollars in added security, insurance premiums and revenue losses. “We have to take a zero-tolerance position relative to crime because now folks are just getting away with things and there’s nothing happening and as a result of nothing happening the crime just keeps growing and growing,” said Gillespie. The campaign has launched an online petition where business owners and concerned citizens are invited to share their stories of how crime has impacted them. Gillespie said the coalition understands the social complexities of homelessness, addiction, and mental health, but a line has to be drawn somewhere. “We’re not targeting any particular group. we’re targeting crime. If there’s a crime committed we want action taken and the person who perpetrated the crime punished,” said Gillespie. Downtown property owner Jo-Anne Phillips confronted someone in the backyard of a downtown rental unit last week. Her guests didn’t want to approach what appeared to be a homeless person passed out on the grass. “Your heart, your humanity side wants to help, but on the other hand am I going to be compromised if I do?” said Phillips, who politely asked the person to leave. Phillips thinks the coalition is coming from the right direction and is glad to see more people coming to the table to put pressure on government leaders. “There has to be a serious, organized systematic approach with all of us engaging to get this change to happen,” said Phillips. “To just wave you hand and say, ‘Oh, it’s a big city and this is what happens in big cities,’ it’s not and it’s not acceptable. Regardless of everything that is happening everywhere else, this is our city. This is where we live.” City of Moncton spokesperson Aloma Jardine said they have not met with anyone from the coalition yet but do expect to have a meeting later in the week. Jardine said the city has been meeting with provincial government ministers on a regular basis to express its concerns and share needs that fall under the province’s areas of responsibility. “They have been a willing and receptive partner in working together to put the right resources in place to address the ongoing social and public safety issues we are facing,” said Jardine in an email. “We are also encouraged by the creation of the province’s ministerial task force on homelessness and are committed to participating in the task force in any way we can.” Jardine said the city empathizes with and shares the frustrations both businesses and residents have. “Everyone can agree that our community is living through a very challenging situation,” said Jardine. CTV News reached out to the province for comment on the coalition but did not hear back by deadline. Gillespie said the online petition already has around 1,000 signatures. “It’s not appropriate for me to walk out the door here and to see someone using illegal drugs and they don’t get stopped,” said Gillespie. “That’s just not appropriate.” For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
