Drug-related problems cost of doing business in downtown Fredericton, store owners say

Business owners in downtown Fredericton say they are increasingly frustrated with a rise in break-ins, theft, vandalism, open drug use, litter and damage to their properties.

Those concerns will be the focus of an upcoming invitation-only meeting with the Fredericton Police Force on Nov. 5.

Adam Peabody, executive director of Downtown Fredericton Inc, which represents the business community, said the instances of theft, vandalism and harassment have trended "from an irritant to an area of significant concern."

And, he said, "We can say anecdotally … that it seems to be fuelled in large part by drug use and addictions."

Gary Forward, who took over as police chief in September, said police have seen a 30 to 40 per cent increase in socio-economic-related calls in the past year, related to living rough, drug addiction and wellness checks

Drugs such as fentanyl and crystal meth are having a "significant impact" on the community because of "their highly addictive nature," along with the low cost and increased availability, he said.

"Those three things are catastrophic when it comes to invading and impacting the community, especially with something like a drug addiction."

Businesses compassionate, but also frustrated

Mike Babineau owns and operates several Fredericton restaurants, including three in the downtown. He said his staff have found people stealing from the restaurant, hiding in the washrooms and causing damage to the interior and exterior of the properties. 

He has increased security, lighting and staffing levels to deal with increased crime and said that there is a monetary cost, as well as an emotional one.

And while no one has been physically assaulted, staff members have been verbally assaulted "on multiple occasions."

Babineau said he always leads with compassion and he cares about people, but he also has an investment to worry about and the health and safety of his employees, who include teenagers.

According to Peabody, most downtown businesses have fewer than 10 employees, which makes it hard for them to handle what he calls the "pervasive and repetitive level of criminal activity."

"There's also a psychological impact of being concerned of how they can maintain a safe and secure environment for their customers, for their employees and operating in our community at large."

Chad McGarity, owner of The Warehouse Barbershop, recently relocated to the bottom of Smythe Street. He said he's struggling with daytime thefts, open drug use and overdoses outside his business.

He keeps a sharps disposal container on hand and collects the waste himself. In the three months at this new location, he estimates he's picked up roughly 100 needles from his property. 

McGarity said he empathizes with the people he sees on the streets. He said he often gives out money and meals and gets to know them on a personal level. But he's struggling. 

Asking people to move along when they're blocking the barbershop entrance can be nerve-racking.

"Of course we're very friendly because we don't want to make anybody angry, but it's our investment, our livelihood," McGarity said.

'You can't hang out anywhere'

Forward said police often get calls about unwanted individuals, property damage, theft and drug use, and he understands the frustration businesses feel.

Police responded to 64 overdoses last year, he said, and as of Oct. 1 this year, they had already responded to 76. They've also responded to more than 90 calls for syringe recovery and disposal.

But Forward said there are limitations to what his officers can do.

"I think, also, the community needs to understand that police can't arrest someone for simply being homeless or living rough, and we certainly can't arrest somebody for being addicted to drugs or possessing prescribed drugs."

Chris Nason has been living rough in Fredericton for the past decade. He understands there are "a lot of bad apples in the homeless crew," but wants business owners to know there are a lot of good people who are also struggling.

Nason has always lived in Fredericton. In a former life, he had a home of his own, a wife, a son and a daughter. But for a myriad of reasons, he is now unhoused. 

"I had a couple of low-rental places but they were taken away as quick and as easily as I got them."

Nason has used the men's shelter from time to time, but prefers the independence of living in the woods, where he said no one bothers him — unlike when he spends time downtown. 

"You can't hang out anywhere. You stop somewhere on the street and there's about three different security companies that come around and tell you to move along. Like I say, well, 'Where do you suggest I move along to, so that you're not going to follow me down the road 5 minutes later?'"

Nason said he has seen an unbelievable increase in the number of people living on the streets. 

"Every day I see new faces in town, and you wonder where they're all coming from," he said. "It seems like at least by the week, there's at least a half a dozen or dozen new people that you haven't seen before."

All of these concerns will be part of the conversation at the annual Business Community Engagement Session on Nov. 5. The meeting is in partnership with the city and Fredericton Police Force, and will include members of the Chamber of Commerce, Business Fredericton North and Downtown Fredericton Inc.