N.B. faces 'crisis of policing,' as rural communities explore options amid vigilantism

New Brunswick is facing a "crisis of policing," especially in rural areas, and will soon have to make some hard decisions, according to a criminology professor.

Otherwise, Michael Boudreau, of St. Thomas University, worries the province could see more "desperate" people "take the law into their own hands," like the alleged acts of vigilantism on Deer Island last week, and there could be tragic consequences.

RCMP continue to investigate after a car was heavily damaged by a group of people at the Deer Island ferry terminal Tuesday around 11 p.m., an abandoned residence was destroyed in a suspicious fire about an hour later, and some fuel was reported stolen from the ferry terminal Wednesday morning.

Some residents frustrated by an alleged lack of police response to a rash of thefts — often after the ferry stops running for the night, making it even harder for St. George RCMP to respond — have suggested they took matters into their own hands.

RCMP issued a statement warning the public against acts of vigilantism, saying it can put them and others at risk, and they could face charges.

Boudreau contends the alleged vigilantism on Deer Island is not surprising, "given the level of frustration that is prevalent in so many rural communities across this province with the perceived — and real — inadequate level of policing."

He does not condone vigilantism, he said, noting the "ironic outcome" for many vigilantes who genuinely believe they can solve a crime, is that they often end up being charged and incarcerated. He cited a recent case in McAdam, where a man was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

"But for some individuals, they are left thinking, 'What options do I have left?'"

If people or their neighbours have been victims of crime, and if they continue to turn to the police for assistance and that assistance either isn't forthcoming in a timely manner, or if the crimes are never solved, that leads to frustration, said Boudreau.

If they're on social media, they might hear additional stories — which may be exaggerated — and that adds to their anxiety and perception crime has increased.

"Then public fear of crime takes over and it reaches a boiling point," he said.

"And really, what we see now is a lack of confidence in policing."

Public confidence in policing at 'all-time low'

Saint Andrews Mayor Brad Henderson contends public confidence in community policing in his region is "at an all-time low" and that additional resources are required to "make people feel safe."

He wrote a letter to Public Safety Minister Kris Austin last Friday, urging a "significant percentage" of new provincial RCMP resources be allocated to Charlotte County communities to increase police presence.

"Doing nothing is no longer an option for any level of government," Henderson wrote on behalf of council, requesting Austin visit for a meeting.

Some victims of crime in his community are no longer calling the RCMP to report the incidents, "as they believe that no real response happens," he said.

There are also "several cases of vigilante justice in our region both in the courts and unreported that will potentially increase."

The letter was actually written before the Deer Island incidents occurred, Henderson told CBC, but they "struck home even more" why it's important to restore trust in policing.

He urged residents to continue to report crimes to RCMP. "I think it was said best by one of our local officers when he said that they have a zero per cent success rate on crime that isn't isn't reported."

In addition, every reported incident helps the region "build a better business case" for getting more officers, Henderson said.

Saint Andrews pays nearly $1.1 million for RCMP services, and is entitled to three officers under its unique municipal contract, according to Henderson. But the town's officers are often moved around to other nearby communities, just as the RCMP does in municipalities that have a provincial policing contract, he said.

Public Safety minister discourages vigilante justice

Austin said he understands the frustration of rural communities. He lives in rural Minto and represents Fredericton-Grand Lake. "I see it, I hear it on a regular basis."

He discouraged any acts of vigilante justice and assured the government is taking the situation seriously. He pointed to a 15 per cent budget increase to RCMP to "beef up police presence in these rural areas that are having the struggles with crime."

About 10 per cent of those positions have been filled so far, he said, but recruitment is a challenge due to labour shortages.

New Brunswick has "800-plus" RCMP officers provincewide, said Austin.

The government also increased funding for Crown prosecutors by 50 per cent to help bring cases before the courts more quickly, he said.

"So we are tackling it, but it does take time."

RCMP finalizing allocation of extra front-line officers

The extra $20.5 million the province provided to the RCMP is to hire 80 additional officers, including 51 on the front line, said New Brunswick RCMP spokesperson Cpl.​​ Stéphane Esculier.

The RCMP is finalizing the allocation of the additional officers, "which will enable us to increase our visibility and engagement in our communities," Esculier said in an emailed statement. He did not say how soon the national force will be able to fill the positions.

The allocation is based on workload and "other factors," not a minimum number of police officers, said Esculier. "The future allocation of police resources will be measured against these factors, while also considering factors such as the ratio of police to population and geography."

2 municipalities have 'had enough'

Residents of Fundy Shores and Eastern Charlotte are also frustrated about a rise in crime and the level of RCMP service they're receiving, according to Fundy Shores Mayor Denny Cogswell.

"A lot of things that are going [on] that people are finally saying, you know, 'We've had enough. We want to see a bigger presence here.'"

The mayors of the two municipalities, formed through the 2023 New Brunswick local governance reforms, met Monday with members of their respective public safety committees and their chief administrative officers to discuss their policing options, he said.

That could include municipal, regional or provincial policing, according to Cogswell. Nothing is off the table, he said.

The two municipalities, which include the communities of St. George, Blacks Harbour, Chance Harbour, Dipper Harbour, Lepreau, Musquash, and surrounding areas, spend about $4 million combined on policing, said Cogswell.

"I think we need to look at, are we getting the best value for our money?"

Austin said he's open to meeting with and working with municipal officials who have ideas to make their communities safer.

Provincial force should be revisited

Boudreau contends the province has been too quick to dismiss the idea of creating a provincial police force to replace the RCMP. New Brunswick used to have one decades ago and he thinks it's a discussion worth having, he said. "If not a provincial police, then perhaps a regional police force?"

RCMP could decide to leave rural communities, said Boudreau, and they're having a hard time recruiting.

A provincial or regional force might not be any less expensive, but it would give local officials more control over where officers are positioned, he said.

In an interview Tuesday, Austin said the province has "never dismissed the idea of an alternative form of policing model for New Brunswick."

Last April, he told a committee of the legislature the government a provincial police force was "really not feasible," because of the costs and amount of time it would take to implement.

The costs would be "astronomical" and it would take about 10 years, he told CBC.

The government is open to a new model, he said. But "there has to be a plan in place that clearly shows that it's going to have a better outcome than what we have now."

Austin called on the federal government to tell provinces its plans for RCMP and local policing long-term.