More security coming to downtown St. John's, says safety coalition

More security is coming to downtown St. John's, says safety coalition spokesperson Don-E Coady.

Last summer, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the City of St. John's announced $180,000 in funding to support theDowntown Safety Coalition, made up ofthe Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Downtown St. John's, the George Street Association, Destination St. John's, Hospitality N.L.,the provincial government and the city itself.

Coady told CBC Newsthere havebeen improvements since the announcement, withan increase in private security that will be expanded this summer.

Coadysaidfundingsupported the contracting of Independent Security Services through a three-phase plan.

Phase 1 involved adding security on George Street betweenJuly and November. Phase 2 expanded the footprint to include Duckworth Street and Water Street. Thatfootprint has been approved for thissummer season and forPhase 3.

Coady said reports from the first two phasesshow an improvement in downtown safety and prevention efforts.

Nightlife dangers

St. John's musician Rowan Sherlock says he has noticed some positive changes since the coalition added morelighting to George Street with more private security on patrol of the famous party street.

"That's been definitely a big plus for us," said Sherlock.

Heading into the busy summer season, Sherlock said, the coalition needs to continue whatit'sdoing.

He said musicians faced many dangers a couple ofyears ago, like being followed, randomly attacked and having their instruments stolen.

"It all kind of happened around a clustered time. So it started to become quite a concern for us," said Sherlock.

Despite the coalition's efforts, he said, he hasn't seen total improvement in the area. He says there ismore aggressive panhandling on George Street.

"They're content to be quite pushy," said Sherlock."You really can't walk from one end of George Street to the other without being, you know, confronted by somebody."

Preventing thefts

Last year, the Natural Boutique on Water Street had its window smashed and merchandise stolen, costing the business $40,000.

The store's owner, Jen Shears, said despite the efforts from the coalition, break-ins are still happening.

She changedthe store'slocks and windows, and implementeda buzzer systemto manage who comes in and out of the store.

"It kind of breaks my heart to have to do that. It's probably the toughest call that we've ever needed to make as business owners in terms of who we let in," saidShears.

While the changes have improved the situation, shesaid,the street needs more security.

"More security presence is certainly important because I don't think these people wouldwalk in and break into places if there were obvious patrols at every corner," said Shears.

See it, say it

RNC Const. James Cadigansaidthe RNC sits on the coalition and provides inputbut doesn't receive funding.

Cadigan saidthe most important thing for the public to dois to report any suspicious activity. He saidthere havebeen instances of dangerous events occurring and being shared on social media instead of being reported to the RNC.

Last year, Mayor Danny Breen said $80,000 of the coalition's funding would go towarda "See It, Say It" campaign to make it easier to report crime in the area.

Cadigan said theRNC started promoting reporting to the police last year.

"We did see a growth in reporting and as a result," said Cadigan, "We were able to detect some behaviours that, you know, were essentially provided with intervention."

Recognizing that not everyone wants to be involved in a police investigation, Cadigan said, people can report anonymously to the police.

Addressing addictions, mental health

Last year, Lisa Faye of the St. John's Status of Women Council said she would rather see the funding for the Downtown Safety Coalition go toward poverty reduction.

"When people have a place to call home, when people have a safe roof over their head where they can sleep well at night, that makes a change in everyone's lives," Faye told CBC News at the time.

Shearssaidthe problemcomes down to addressing mental health and addictions.

"Everyone knows that it goes deeper than just the desire to steal,"said Shears."Certainly mental health andaddiction treatment needs to be more at the forefront in our society."

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