Southwest New Brunswick Municipalities Are Exploring Alternatives To RCMP

At the July Council Meeting for the Municipality of Saint Andrews, Mayor Brad Henderson informed council of a wider Charlotte County issue that has once again been at the forefront of discussions among municipal leaders from across Southwest New Brunswick at the Regional Service Commission: exploring alternatives to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Henderson said he felt it was important to bring all members of council up to date on the conversation he is having predominantly with other mayors from across the region.

"Those that are following media or other council meetings will know that at least one other municipality has passed a motion to explore alternative policing outside of the RCMP," said Henderson to council. "There's been a preliminary conversation at the RSC board. If there is any motion coming forward, that it would be to have a feasibility study on alternative policing, whatever that looks like.

It's very early, but if anything comes before, I'll make sure to bring it back to this table and encourage any such important decision like that, that they give myself adequate time to consult with Council again. I know that it's kind of unique having a spot in the RSC where you don't have to, but I think it's an important component of us working together as a team. So I'll be pushing for that because there is a lot of discussion going on on what's happening across Charlotte County." 

Henderson elaborated the conversation surrounding exploring alternatives to RCMP. At the RSC isn't a singular issue and that it comes as part of an ecosystem of challenges that all communities are currently facing as crime rates, drug use, homelessness, and the cost of living continue to grow at alarming rates in rural Southwest New Brunswick.

 "I'm very aware it's not just policing and that there are a lot more issues around that," said Henderson. "It's addiction services, it's mental health, it's homelessness. There's so many different factors that are contributing. You could even say inflation. There's so many things outside of policing. But it doesn't appear that status quo is working very well for Charlotte County right now. And I can't talk to specifics within the police report right now, but it certainly feels like things like stealing and theft are on the rise all across Charlotte County. And I know some other communities didn't see the change in their community coming. We're not on an island, I can actually see change coming. So we're really going to have to be proactive in figuring out solutions so it doesn't impact the quality of the community we have and the reasons why we love living in our greater St. Andrews community. So more to come on that. But I want to make you aware that that is a conversation that's happening around the RSC table as well. And whenever there's very important conversations that are happening around the RSC table, I do hope to take back them to you as often as possible."