Saint John hires security team to assist with community concerns

The City of Saint John has launched a community and security team to focus on prevention and de-escalation.

The City of Saint John has hired a security team to help deter crime and improve public safety.

The Community Safety and Security (CCS) Team is being launched as a two-year pilot project by the city, and will focus in the Waterloo Village, uptown and local shelter areas around Saint John.

Once implemented in February, the two-person CCS Team will operate 24/7 and will focus on voluntary compliance, de-escalation, and education to make the city safer and more welcoming.

“Their role is to maintain a proactive presence, respond to non-emergency concerns and connect residents with the right services when needed,” says Amy Poffenroth, who serves as the city’s commissioner of growth and community services. “Team members will be trained in Narcan administration, mental health awareness, trauma informed practice, and respectful de-escalation.”

CCS members will not perform services like police, nor will they be carrying any sort of weapon. They will work with various first responders and outreach team when necessary.

“This is additional to police,” Mayor Donna Reardon says. “They don’t have they don’t have the authority as they’re not police, and they’re going to work from a different angle on this.”

The city could not say how many people will be hired in total for the team.

Another part of the pilot program is the launch of the Community Resilience Fund.

The fund is aimed to support small businesses and non-profit organizations with damages and other issues resulting from crime in the community. The fund will provide financial aid for prevention, response, and recovery measures.

Applicants can get up to $7,500 per year to offset security and damage costs.

On top of the induvial grants, the pilot program is also offering funding up to $25,000 for collective projects. They are available to Uptown Saint John Business Improvement Association (BIA), or groups of four or more small businesses who apply together.

Applications will be accepted twice a year in April and September.

Uptown Saint John BIA executive director Nancy Tissington says businesses are excited about both parts of the pilot project.

“When we have a broken window, we can actually come out to the city and apply for grants and they’re going to help,” Tissington says. “It’s very helpful to have this from the city. They’ve leaned in and have listened to, our small business community.”

She also points out small businesses do not always want to call police when there is an issue and expects many to take advantage of the new teams.

“A lot of businesses like to be able to have a reach out to someone that might know some characters or unsavory in the area,” she says. “But they can get to know the neighbors, get to know our businesses, and actually pass along some great information.”

The city says the combined work of the two pilot projects represent a “holistic approach” to community safety efforts by balancing immediate response with long-term solutions.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.