City Council’s Public Safety Committee heard at its quarterly update on progress related to addressing gaps in housing, mental health and addiction services identified by the Community Safety Task Force.
The provincial government, municipal government, and community-based partners are continuing to move forward with recommendations intended to tackle the root causes of community safety concerns. In recent months this has included:
- Supporting the John Howard Society through the sale and rezoning of a city-owned parcel of land for a treatment centre developed in collaboration with Horizon Health Network, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Development, and Housing New Brunswick.
- Launch of enhanced Community Watch program.
- Fredericton Police Force’s Direction Action Response Team enforcement initiatives focused on prolific offenders.
- Housing NB is leading the construction of 10 public housing units in Fredericton with 8 additional units in the design phase.
“We are encouraged by the continued commitment from the provincial government to tackle these urgent challenges by working to provide the supportive housing, health care and addiction treatment that is urgently needed in our community” said Public Safety Chair Jocelyn Pike. “The city remains committed to investing in our areas of responsibility including community-based crime prevention, enforcement and public safety education to support a safe city for all.”
In late 2024, the City launched the Community Safety Task Force in response to concerns from residents and businesses. The Task Force brought together voices from all levels of government, service providers, residents, and business.
Focusing on justice, policing, mental health, addictions and homelessness, the task force report proposed 47 immediate and long-term actions to address the city’s most pressing social challenges.
An oversight committee comprised of representatives of municipal, provincial and partner organizations report quarterly on progress to the city’s Public Safety Committee.
The most recent Public Safety Committee meeting and the full list of recommendations are available online.