St. Stephen is experiencing a surge in drug use and homelessness with many residents expressing concern at the regular March council meeting last Wednesday that the rise of both has been accompanied by a rise in crime, including theft, drug-related offenses, and property crimes. 

Kristan Cloney who owns Spree Boutique on Milltown Boulevard said she has had to lock up her heat pump and move the basement section of her store to the main floor just to avoid theft in her store. 

"I have a business downtown, and we are adjusting to the changes. I also live on King Street, and we've had three attempted break-ins recently. My son is scared to play hockey outside without my husband and I watching from the window," said Cloney. 

Local RCMP attended the meeting and encouraged residents to call the RCMP at 506-466-7030 whenever they encounter concerning situations so that officers can not only intervene, but also collect important data. This data could ultimately result in more police officers being stationed in the area. The province has budgeted to add 80 more RCMP officers within the province this year, 51 of which will be placed in rural locations like St. Stephen. 

During discussion, some residents expressed concern that the town's warming station, which was established in late 2022 to help the growing homeless population, has increased crime and homelessness in the downtown core. Mayor MacEachern said the crisis can't be blamed on one source, however, insisting that many factors are at play from the growing drug epidemic, to rise in cost of living, to the lack of mental health resources, all of which require more support from the province.

"Maybe the government will listen to us more. But that's all we can hope for, because, like I said, we get a long road ahead of us," said MacEachern

CHCO reached out to St. Croix MLA Kathy Bothus who said residents should feel free to call her office at 506-466-1449 to voice their concerns as well. 

"I have spoken to the Minister of Public Safety and definitely made him aware of their concerns," said Bockus. "We discussed the $20 million announced in this 2023-2024 budget for policing in New Brunswick and the 80 additional RCMP officers this will allow us to hire, with 51 of those officers destined for front line work in our communities. I have been told it will be up to the RCMP to allocate the additional officers around the province. I’m assured some of those officers will be “boots on the ground”  for rural areas, like St. Stephen. RCMP CO Deanna Hill will work to allocate those new resources based on officer to population ratio as well as other factors to ensure service are beefed up throughout the province."