‘Enough is enough‘ is the name of a campaign launched by business owners and residents of Moncton.
“Crime in Moncton has just gotten out of control, and we’re faced with continual vandalism and theft, break-and-enters and drug use. Our tenants and a lot of our business owners are afraid to wander in Moncton after dark, and during the day. It’s time to make it clear to the politicians or powers that be that this is a priority,” said Ashford Properties President Patrick Gillespie.
A petition has been launched, and thousands have already signed in support. They plan to present the petition to all three levels of government, but Gillespie says no date has been set yet.
“There have been some conversations with the provincial and the municipal levels because they are likely the most able to help solve the problems. We’re going to get together and try to decide how best to approach convincing the authorities to shift their priorities to know how to deal with crime, ” Gillespie stressed.
He adds that problems appear to be worse in the downtown, but there are really concerns across the entire city.
Gillespie says it is time the criminals and the politicians are held accountable.
“Businesses are leaving, residents are moving out, security and insurance costs are skyrocketing, and customers are staying away,” Gillespie emphasized.
Gillespie says he has also spoken to others from Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton, and they are also dealing with increased crime.
“It’s not that long ago that I didn’t have cameras in buildings, some that are monitored, and a security guard is dispatched. I didn’t have security guards all over the place. I didn’t have to have to run around the building early in the morning before residents showed up to work to clean up garbage and needles, and people who had passed out. I didn’t have to deal with vandalism every single week,” Gillespie stated.
He adds the campaign will help to shine a spotlight on how leaders are or aren’t responding, “We need every voice pushing for real solutions—not excuses,” Gillespie said.
