Downtown Security Issues A Constant Concern For Moncton Businesses
MONCTON – The mother-daughter founders of a downtown Moncton retail business are hopeful the city and several local partners can take action on what they feel are ongoing security issues plaguing the city.
Gracia Williston and Michelle Parker, mother-daughter co-owners of Stile Fashion And Accessories, told Huddle they have repeatedly voiced concerns to the city over security threats in downtown Moncton–threats that have all kinds of negative impacts on their business.
“It’s been a really touchy subject for us for a while. It’s increasingly apparent that this homelessness situation is out of control – and it’s concerning for the number of people who come downtown,” Parker told Huddle.
“People feel unsafe coming downtown. People have come home from the holidays from cities like Toronto and out west and they’ve said it feels way more unsafe than any big city they’ve been in,” said Parker.
While declining to name specific incidents, Parker told Huddle the situation has escalated over the years and notes more action is needed to fix the root problems, as the issue is hurting customer traffic to many businesses on Main Street.
Many downtown businesses and organizations have reported security concerns, often involving harassment, assault, and property damage. The most recent involved a complaint from Ronald Gaudet, executive director of the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area.
Gaudet told city council a Dec. 20 pallet fire in an underground parking garage nearly destroyed the Community Peace Center and cause $8,000 in damage to one of the association’s vans.
RELATED: Downtown Security Will Be A Focus In Moncton In 2022
Huddle contacted the owners several other downtown Moncton businesses on the matter of security – all of whom declined to speak on the matter.
Williston and Parker said a lack of “boots on the ground” support the downtown area is part of the problem.
“The chamber of commerce has been doing a really good job trying to get things to happen for us. I think everyone seems to want everything to change,” said Parker.
“But for that to happen, there are going to have to be some big changes that I know may make people unpopular. I think those changes have to happen and they’ve been talking about it for way too long and not doing anything about it.”
While hopeful for systemic change is on the horizon, Parker and Williston said more visible security would be good first step.
“There need to be more people out there, making it more secure for the general public – for them to feel more secure. There are a number of things we’ve suggested to the city, and at different meetings with the RCMP – this is not a new issue for us. We’re definitely one of the squeaky wheels,” Parker said.
Action Plan
Those boots on the ground are the first step in the Joint Action Plan on Homelessness and Downtown Security and a follow up report.
John Wishart, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, says the plan and report’s first tangible action in 2022 will see the Codiac RCMP opening a satellite office on Main Street, with more Community Policing Unit officers downtown.
“That’s something the business community is looking for – just a more visible presence of law enforcement in the core and areas of the city that tend to be the trouble-spots,” he said.
Released in November, the plan was prepared by the city’s Task Force on Homelessness and Downtown Security, the Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee and the Codiac Regional RCMP, is aimed at reducing homelessness and security issues in Greater Moncton.
The report was informed by community responses, incorporating ideas on how to deal with mental health and addictions issues, lack of affordable housing, and downtown panhandling, with a focus on governance, law enforcement, and community and social services.
Wishart stressed the need for affordable housing and greater mental health supports, echoing calls from Parker and Williston to address addictions and mental health issues that contribute to the city’s homelessness problem.
“Everyone agrees that getting a safe place to stay with support for mental health and addictions issues are key,” Wishart said.
“That’s at the foundation of the lives of all individuals experiencing homelessness.”
To that end, the task force is looking to bring a mental health court, like the one in Saint John, to Moncton.
“It can help break that cycle, mandating release conditions that will help with some of these people,” he said.
Sam Macdonald is a Huddle reporter in Moncton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].