Moncton spending $1M to double community officers in response to safety fears

Moncton will double its community officer force as part of an effort to crack down on homelessness, drug use and crime that councillors acknowledged wouldn't solve root issues tied to struggles with mental health and addiction.

It was among several steps largely focused on enforcement approved Monday evening that will see spending increase this year by $1.1 million.

It was the latest in a series of efforts and spending aimed at addressing social issues and crime. 

The debate that stretched almost three hours saw councillors voice concern about criminalizing homelessness, the need to respond to resident demands for action, and the cost. 

"If we do make it difficult to live on our streets, they may eventually want to go somewhere else other than Moncton," Coun. Dave Steeve, a pastor, said of homeless people.

"I'm all about love, acceptance and forgiveness, but we as a city offer places for people to go. And at some point we have to say it's stolen property stolen property and this is land you can't live on. I think that's where we're at today." 

Councillors cast a series of votes Monday, though most items had several nay votes for varying reasons.

Council approved increasing the roster of the city's community officers from nine to 18 at a cost of $1,019,213. The cost includes vehicles, uniforms, training and equipment. 

The city created the community officers last year through a contract with the Corps of Commissionaires N.B. & P.E.I. Division Inc.

They use municipal vehicles to patrol the city and respond to tent sites, can collect discarded needles and can issue tickets for bylaw violations.

While the city has asked the province to change legislation to give them similar powers as police officers, there's no indication when or if that change may take place.

Marc Landry, the city manager, told council the city will immediately work to fill the new positions with the contractor but it may take several months to have a fully trained and equipped compliment.

Coun. Shawn Crossman earlier said he couldn't support hiring more of the officers because it wouldn't solve the mental health and addictions issues believed to be driving crime.

"In order to support their addiction and mental health issues, they steal from the residents sitting over there [in council chambers] and from people in the apartment building that I live in," Crossman said.