Livable Neighborhoods: Insights from Neighborhood Watch Meeting

A couple of nights ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Town Plat Neighbourhood Watch meeting, organized by Jennifer Boudreau in response to growing community concerns around safety, housing, and social services. With over 60 RSVPs and strong representation from both Town Plat and Sunshine Gardens, it was one of the most well-attended and constructive community conversations I’ve participated in. Jennifer’s leadership and commitment to building a connected, informed neighborhood are deeply appreciated.

This poster was shared on social media advertising the Town Plat Neighborhood Watch meeting, held on June 24. (credit: Jennifer L. Boudreau)

Premier Susan Holt also joined the meeting in her capacity as MLA for Fredericton South–Silverwood. She opened the session by voicing strong support for grassroots, community-led safety initiatives, such as Neighborhood Watch. Her presence underscored that local concerns are being heard at the highest levels of government.

Jennifer gave a detailed summary of the meeting. If you didn’t get a copy, contact her to be added to her email list. I’ll share my main insights from the meeting and my commitments to you if I serve as your city council representative. 

Key Insights from the Meeting

Chief Gary Forward of the Fredericton Police Force provided detailed updates on public safety and policing priorities. He emphasized that being unhoused, experiencing mental illness, or using substances are not criminal offenses. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the rights of all individuals, and police can only intervene when a specific law is broken. He reminded us to be thoughtful about what we expect of police when it comes to complex social issues like housing, health, and addiction.

One particularly eye-opening statistic: less than 0.06% of Fredericton’s population is responsible for nearly 20% of all crime, and only 0.2% of police calls involve crimes committed to meet basic needs, such as food or shelter. This data makes it clear that while poverty is visible, crime trends are primarily driven by a small group of chronic offenders, many of whom are already housed. This distinction is essential when discussing policy responses, including the need for bail reform and better enforcement of repeat offenses.

As your city councilor, I am committed to advocating for the provincial and federal governments to implement these necessary reforms to legislation.  

Chief Forward also announced several positive developments, including the return of School Resource Officers to Fredericton High and Leo Hayes, a new field reporting pilot that allows officers to submit voice-recorded reports from the field, and a soon-to-be-launched video submission portal for residents to securely share crime footage with police. These initiatives are designed to increase officer availability and improve community responsiveness.

The Chief also provided an update on the Community Engagement Unit (CEU), a pilot program that involves retired officers responding to non-emergency calls. Their impact on the front line is evident in the return of the Fredericton Police Force to foot and bike patrols, and I was pleased that City Council extended the pilot to the end of the year. I strongly support making this initiative permanent. By offloading lower-priority tasks, it allows frontline officers to focus on more urgent and complex calls and be more present in our neighborhoods.

As your voice on council, I will advocate for making CEU funding permanent, rather than relying on underspending of budgeted amounts.

I also want to mention the Community Safety Services Unit (CSSU), which has made a significant difference in the city, including in Ward 10. To give you an idea of their impact, in 2024, the CSSU:

• Moved 8.529 individuals out of unauthorized areas

• Responded to 231 calls for loitering

• Completed 187 site cleanups in parks and public spaces.

I’ve recently worked with the CSSU, and they are very professional and responsive. If you have a concern that you would like to report, you can call +1 (506) 269-6988. While we are all aware of this, it’s still worth reminding everyone: if there’s a crime in progress, please call 911.

We also heard from Warren Maddox of Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., who offered critical context around the city’s shelter system. He reaffirmed that the majority of shelter users are local and that about two-thirds are coping with mental illness or substance use. A new 'complex case specialist' program is being launched to help the 75 most high-needs individuals with long-term, coordinated care.

Warren also emphasized that the right model for shelters and transitional housing is a decentralized one—small, community-integrated pods rather than large, centralized facilities. Currently, most shelter beds and services in the city are concentrated in a one-square-mile area of Ward 10.

As your voice on council, I am committed to collaborating with the provincial government to ensure that future expansions of shelters, programs, and services adhere to a decentralized model.

It’s important to remember that while we feel the impact of these issues locally, the solutions often lie at the provincial and federal levels. I’m cautiously optimistic that the recommendations in the Community Safety Taskforce Report are broken down into action items with clear lines of accountability and specific deadlines for outcomes. The provincial government and its various departments, as well as the health authority, are the lead organizations for most of the recommendations and provide support for nearly all of the recommendations in the Task Force’s report.

Neighborhood Watch also plays a critical role in shaping public safety. As Jennifer noted, it is not a substitute for police or social services, but a volunteer-based network that encourages connection, reporting, and preventative actions. Simple steps, such as trimming shrubs, adding lighting, and watching out for one another, can help deter criminal activity and show that our community is cared for.

One of the clearest takeaways from this meeting is the value of regular community gatherings. The Neighborhood Watch meeting created space for listening, learning, and collaboration—and we need more of that. From public safety to recreation, from budget priorities to arts and culture, I believe similar forums should be held regularly across our ward to encourage transparency, civic dialogue, and shared problem-solving.

As your voice on council, I commit to organizing and participating in open community meetings regularly.

These gatherings will serve as listening posts, progress updates, and planning sessions—opportunities to make Ward 10 and the entire city stronger, more inclusive, and better informed through meaningful public engagement. Together, these efforts paint a path forward for a safer, more compassionate Ward 10.

As your candidate, I’ll continue to advocate for collaborative, long-term solutions rooted in both safety and dignity.

The priorities outlined here reflect my five core commitments to Ward 10: to listen, lead with transparency, support smart growth, strengthen community well-being, and make City Hall more accessible to everyone. As your candidate, and with your support, I’ll continue to show up, listen closely, and work together to build a safer, stronger, and more connected Ward 10.

Your voice matters — and this is your space to be heard.

Ward 10 comprises a diverse range of people, perspectives, and priorities. Whether you’re concerned about housing, traffic, green space, affordability, or want to share an idea or experience, this campaign starts by listening to you.

Editor’s Note: Content in this post was derived from the June 27 meeting summary crafted by Jennifer Boudreau, who organized and led the June 24 Town Plat Neighbourhood Watch meeting. I was asked (and happy to include) a stronger attribution, and appreciate the opportunity to reference her material here. If you live within the Town Plat Neighbourhood Watch boundary—Smythe, Dundonald, York, and Queen Streets—you’re welcome to sign up as a member by contacting Jennifer by e-mail. You will receive periodic emails with updates on community safety and events.