St. John's boosting security at parks over safety concerns, says mayor

St. John's Mayor Danny Breen says security guards have been added to Bannerman Park this summer to address safety concerns raised by residents. Thrive executive director Angela Crockwell says vulnerable people often end up being targeted.

Thrive's Angela Crockwell worries move will negatively impact vulnerable people

Elizabeth Whitten · CBC News · Posted: Jun 26, 2025 1:34 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours ago

A splash pad in a playground with kids running through spraying water. — Bannerman Park will have security patrols this summer in response to a rise in safety concerns from the public, says St. John's Mayor Danny Breen. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

Park visitors in St. John's this summer might notice additional bodies in uniform, as the city bolsters its security inside popular public green spaces.

Bannerman Park will now have a patrol of private security hired by the city.

St. John's Mayor Danny Breen said the move to bring in private guards is a response to calls from the community about safety.

"After speaking to residents and hearing their concerns … we added additional security there to what we already had in Bowring Park," Breen told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show.

"As with other parks in the area … we're keeping an eye on everything and monitoring it to see what further measures may have to be taken."

Public safety was recently identified as a top issue in several recent surveys conducted by the city, including a recent feedback forum on the annual Water Street pedestrian mall.

Breen didn't say whether the city was considering putting security in other areas, adding it works closely with the RNC.

A head and shoulders shot of a man wearing a suit. — Breen says private businesses have also increased their security presence. (Darrell Roberts/CBC)

St. John's isn't alone in working to address safety concerns, the mayor said, adding that people might have already noticed increased security inside private businesses.

"I think there's just a heightened concern for safety in the city. And I think the city parks and properties are no different than the private ones that you see," said Breen.

Downtown patrols

In April, some members of council, including Breen, said they wanted RNC officers to patrol downtown due to safety concerns.

In response, RNC Deputy Chief Colin McNeil said foot patrols would not make the downtown safer and would not be a good use of police resources.

A woman smiles. — Angela Crockwell, Thrive's executive director, is worried security patrols could negatively impact vulnerable people. (Henrike Wilhelm/CBC)

Breen said private security will also be present at the pedestrian mall, which is opening this week.

"Our staff are monitoring just to make sure that the complement we have is working and sufficient," he said.

Angela Crockwell, executive director of the St. John's-based youth support organization Thrive, said she understands the public's concern about crime and the need to make sure people are safe, but worries the presence of guards could have the unintended consequences of targeting vulnerable people.

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"We know that marginalized and vulnerable populations often can get targeted," said Crockwell.

"I would hope that those people who are doing security have appropriate training to make sure that their policies and practices reflect, again, not targeting certain populations."

Crockwell wants to see further support and investments in programs that help the vulnerable, like Thrive's outreach program.

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