More than a dozen security cameras have been installed in several locations throughout downtown St. Stephen.

The initiative was launched by the St. Stephen Business Improvement Area to help address public safety concerns.

“With the alarming rise in local vandalism, theft and drug activity, it was a unanimous conclusion that we require 24-hour-a-day security cameras,” said Heather Donahue, executive director of the St. Stephen BIA.

“We just felt that we would like to protect our businesses, employers, employees, residents and visitors. We want everyone to feel safe in the downtown.”

Five surveillance hubs consisting of 15 high-resolution cameras have been installed, said Donahue.

She said the cameras have been strategically placed for high visibility throughout the downtown.

“We’re hoping that they’ll deter potential criminal behaviour, but they will also capture evidence to support the RCMP in their identification and prosecution efforts,” said Donahue.

Donahue said they worked in collaboration with Frontline Security Solutions Inc., a Utopia-based company, to install the cameras.

The BIA invested about $30,000 to install the security cameras, she said, with some of that money coming from a grant through Downtown New Brunswick.

Earlier this year, the province announced that Downtown New Brunswick would receive a yearly grant of $500,000 in support of 24 eligible business improvement areas.

Donahue said the organization will sit down in the new year to discuss whether there is a need to add more cameras.