Petty crime unit, more surveillance cameras among Fredericton safety task force's ideas
Police chief says officers are often reacting to calls that stem from socioeconomic problems
A Fredericton task force on community safety has made almost 50 recommendations that would improve social services and bolster the police force, all with the goal of reducing crime in the city.
The ideas range from installing more surveillance cameras throughout Fredericton to creating 200 "ultra-low-barrier" transitional housing units for homeless people.
Some of the 47 recommendations are aimed at the city, and others are aimed at the New Brunswick government. The task force included the Fredericton mayor and police chief as well as provincial officials.
"What we've been dealing with is a reactive response to these socioeconomic issues," Chief Gary Forward said after presenting the task force's recommendations to city council on Monday night.
"Often, we see people at their worst, and for us to come along and be expected to deal with what took decades of issues to, you know, culminate into something where you see somebody that is homeless or you see somebody that is suffering substance use disorders.
"So this is something that we have to look at the root causes of why this is taking place. The police are just one small cog in what is the larger group that is the community safety task force."
The city formed the task force last December with a goal of bringing politicians, civil servants and non-profit workers together to brainstorm on how to address a rise in crime.
According to the Fredericton Police Force's most recent annual report, the number of reported crimes rose by 40 per cent between 2021 and 2023. Property offences made up 65 per cent of crimes reported in 2023, while crimes against people accounted for 20 per cent.
Mayor Kate Rogers said she and councillors have been hearing more and more concerns from residents about an eroding sense of safety.
She said this bubbled over last fall, with downtown business owners voicing their concerns more loudly, prompting the formation of the task force.
Some of the recommendations
The task force included Mike Comeau, the deputy minister of justice and public safety, Social Development Minister Cindy Miles, former Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin, and people from business groups and housing-focused non-profits, They met twice a month.
Recommendations in the report presented to council Monday included:
- Improving lighting on trails, transit stops and streets.
- Adding surveillance cameras to transit stops.
- Increasing police and security presence in business districts.
- Establishing a dedicated policing unit for petty crimes.
- Creating a mobile outreach unit to respond day or night to the health and mental health needs of vulnerable people.
Recommendations directed at the province include:
- Expanding mental health courts.
- Increasing mental health and addiction services in correctional centres.
- Mandating a planned discharge from incarceration into housing or treatment programs.
- Expanding the availability of detox and rehab beds.
- Helping to get 200 "ultra-low-barrier" transitional housing units underway for homeless people.
Rogers said both the city and the province are now left with coming up with their own plans to implement the recommendations, a process that will be monitored by an oversight committee.
"What is most important is that we hold each other accountable to doing this work," Rogers said.
"We all gave of our time, and we're all very committed to the work, but to me, the proof is always in the pudding."
Rogers said the city's implementation plan is expected to be released within a matter of weeks.
Sonya Gilks, a spokesperson for the Fredericton police, later clarified that an oversight committee will be established first and the city's action plan will be presented Aug. 7 at a public safety committee meeting.
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