Moncton City Council plans to meet next month to talk about the security action plan which stemmed from a recent series of town hall meetings with residents on crime, drug problems and homelessness.
Of the 22 action items recommended, at least seven fall under the City of Moncton’s responsibility and include increasing the presence of bylaw enforcement officers, cleaning up garbage and debris in the downtown, the visibility of shopping carts and removing tent sites in a timely manner.
Councillor Charles Leger says it’s important to get moving since there are fewer meetings during the summer.
“There’s an expectation of citizens. I really would like to see something presented with recommendations with a dollar figure.”
Following the release of the action plan last week, West End resident Kim Christie-Gallant says timelines and dollar figures were missing from it.
Council seems to agree the action items the city is responsible for should be addressed quickly.
Councillor Paulette Theriault thinks poverty is at the root of the problem of crime and wondered who is responsible for resolving that issue.
But Councillor Marty Kingston notes how council and staff are under pressure at the moment.
He says solving poverty is a large issue for council to tackle and he adds we can’t lose sight of the ‘here and now’.
“What citizens of Moncton are more concerned with is the people walking in the backyards… the stolen bikes from this week or last week… including my own at my apartment.”
Kingston says residents are expecting the city to move quickly especially those in Ward 2 who initiated the town hall meetings.
Council plans to discuss the security action plan on July 11.