Mayors welcome N.B. government's expanded role combatting drug crime
CBC
New Brunswick mayors and a Liberal opposition critic are expressing support for the province's latest move to crack down on drug crime.
But some say they also hope the move — expected to result in more seizures of illicit drugs — is coupled with enhanced supports for those struggling with addiction.
The mayors of Woodstock, Saint John and Miramichi all say drug use and addiction can be linked to a rise in petty crime in their communities, and they are pleased the province is doing more to help local police forces combat the issue.
"I think you don't necessarily see it visibly on the street, but … we are aware that there are increasing issues with drugs and it shows up in criminal statistics with break and enters, thefts and things like that," said Woodstock Mayor Arthur Slipp.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety has formed seven "integrated enforcement units" across the province, aimed at tackling "street and mid-level drug and drug-related crimes," according to department spokesperson Judy Désalliers.
The initiative involves partnerships between the department, the RCMP and municipal police forces.
Désalliers did not say where the units are being set up, or which municipal forces are involved, but said the units are being staffed by nine RCMP officers, 10 municipal police officers, eight provincial peace officers and two criminal analysts.
Slipp said his town has been "very, very concerned" about increasing drug and drug-related crime for years, and has in turn put more money into its police force to combat it.
"We've added a significant number of officers to our force and we also have engaged with this major crime initiative that the province is starting, and we're very, very pleased to be involved, and we have a dedicated officer in the unit," Slipp said.
Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon said she hadn't heard about the new initiative by the province, noting the Saint John Police Force is administered by an arms-length commission, rather than by the city.
However, she said she supports the concept considering the city has seen an increase in drug overdoses, along with robberies and other petty crimes connected to drugs.
"Any support to the police or police forces in the province that would help solve some of that on-the-street, on-the-ground crime would be absolutely welcome," she said.
At the same time, she said she hopes efforts by police focus on cracking down on those trafficking and dealing drugs, rather than those who are simply users battling addiction.
"More arrests of the person who just has an addiction issue is not not the answer."
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