Nearly 600 people filled the rink in New Waterford, N.S., Wednesday night to express their frustrations over drugs and crime in the community. “We are in a time of crisis here in our town,” one woman said through tears as she spoke at the microphone set up for the dozens of people who voiced their concerns. Some who spoke said there is not enough police presence in the community. “You know a drug house, you know they’re dealing, and nothing gets done,” said another woman. Others spoke about a lack of resources for things like addictions and mental health. “I want money spent on facilities here – accessible facilities – so this doesn’t happen to any other mothers,” said Lisa Brogan, who spoke about her son’s struggles. Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke told the crowd that New Waterford has the highest needle use per capita of any community in the country. He’s asking for help from other levels of government with things like additional resources for policing and a new homeless shelter. “We’re doing everything we can within our municipal resources to address that,” Clarke said. “It’s clear we need our provincial and federal partners to be with us.” Clarke added that if the municipality doesn’t get the help he is asking for, he is willing to take busloads of residents to the Nova Scotia legislature. “If they feel that the province isn’t hearing them, then maybe we have to go to the province … for them to have direct access to the legislators and the various ministers,” Clarke said. The CBRM’s new interim police chief, Stephen MacKinnon, said that in the short term, people can expect more plainclothes officers in town to try and crack down on public drug activity that has people feeling unsafe. “Knowing what I know here tonight, I most likely will have a shift in priorities,” MacKinnon said. “I felt it was a valuable meeting, and I think it’s something that you’re going to see positive change in the months ahead.” Organizers said there will be another public meeting by December to find out whether anything has changed and evaluate any solutions put in place. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
