Updates from Homelessness Task Force include increased RCMP Presence in Downtown Moncton

More RCMP presence in downtown Moncton is one of several updates coming from the Task Force on Homelessness and Downtown Security 27-point action plan.
 
 “We’ve made significant progress on a number of fronts”, says Task Force Chair and Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton CEO John Wishart.  “A key element in our plan includes increased police presence in downtown Moncton with the relocation of the Codiac RCMP Community Policing Unit (CPU).  Today we’re able to announce that a lease has been signed and the unit will be fully operational on Main Street by summer,” adds Wishart. 
 
“We had been planning to increase our presence and visibility in the downtown and this initiative falls within our planned strategic approach,” stated Supt. Ron DeSilva of the Codiac RCMP.  “It’s a positive step forward for everyone.”
 
In addition, new Community Safety Officers and Community Bylaw Officers have been hired.  Both the CPU and bylaw officers will be housed in the new office at 795 Main St.
 
As well, the Task Force has been able to make progress on a number of the 27 action items that came out of the Community Forum on Homelessness and Downtown Security last September.   
 
This includes the City’s passing an updated shopping cart bylaw, continued work towards a uniformed approach to identifying recipients of new housing through the coordinated access approach, continued work around the development of an injectable opioid replacement program, as well as ongoing support of the overdose prevention site, continued improvement of shelter operations and continued advocacy for the development of release plans for inmates being released into the Greater Moncton community. 
 
“As well, we are awaiting word from the Province of New Brunswick on a number of requests including the hiring of more mental health and addictions professionals and the creation of a mental health court for Greater Moncton”, says Wishart.  “We look forward to hearing on these important matters shortly.”
 
A scorecard that shows progress on all 27 action items is available on the Chamber’s website: www.ccgm.ca/homelessness.
 

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For more information, please contact:
John Wishart
CEO, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
Co-Chair, Community Task Force on Homelessness and Downtown Security
Ph: (506) 856-4000 (o) (506) 875-8101 (m)
Email: jwishart@ccgm.ca