A public safety project bringing private security guards to parts of Saint John aims to improve foot patrols and overnight services. City councillors heard the latest update on the Community Standards Service on Monday. According to a recent survey, you and your neighbors have a positive reaction to the guards themselves. However, many residents and business owners report that safety and general neighborhood conditions remain unchanged or have worsened.

CBC News reports that the pilot project launched in February to address vandalism and theft.

Program Costs and Call Volumes

The pilot project costs the city $780,000 annually. GardaWorld provides the security service under a two year contract. Guards respond to non emergency calls in uptown Saint John, Waterloo Village, and the area around Rothesay and Thorne avenues.

The service responded to 89 calls in April. Call volumes grew to between 114 and 151 calls a month from May to September. Most calls involve wellness checks and public assists. Guards escalated 41 cases to police, fire, or outreach workers.

New Overnight Patrols for Businesses

City manager of community standards Benn Purinton says the service will focus on reinforcing its target of seven hours of foot patrol per day. The city is also developing a voluntary business patrol program. Businesses can register their properties and identify vulnerable areas. Guards will then regularly check on those locations throughout the night.

City Council Debates the Pilot

Saint John councillors shared a mix of praise and concerns during the Monday meeting. Coun. Greg Norton criticized the program for providing taxpayer funded security for specific private businesses while others pay out of pocket.

Coun. Gary Sullivan defended the program. He noted the city designed the pilot specifically for areas with high concentrations of services for at risk individuals. The city plans to put the new improvements into practice and reassess the entire program in February.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Community Standards Service?

It is a two year pilot project in Saint John that uses private GardaWorld security guards to respond to non emergency calls in specific neighborhoods.

How much does the security pilot cost?

The program costs the City of Saint John $780,000 annually.

What areas do the security guards patrol?

Guards patrol parts of uptown Saint John, Waterloo Village, and the areas surrounding Rothesay and Thorne avenues.

How do residents feel about the program?

A recent city survey shows residents appreciate the professionalism and response times of the guards. However, many feel that overall neighborhood safety and disorder have not improved.