Urgent action is needed on homelessness, housing and public safety, according to the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce.
CEO Shannon Merrifield recently wrote a letter to Mayor Donna Reardon and Premier Susan Holt outlining their concerns.
“We’re really at a tipping point, and I felt that we needed to bring the province and the city together to have a conversation,” Merrifield told our newsroom.
“The conversations that are happening on the streets, the emails that I’m getting, the terrible things that you’re seeing on social media. It’s very clear that our community just doesn’t feel safe walking around uptown.”
Merrifield acknowledges actions have been taken to help address the ongoing challenges, pointing to the Somerset ACRES housing initiative in the north end.
However, she said the business community — and the region as a whole — will suffer if both levels of government do not step up with a coordinated plan.
“We’re going to lose investments and people are not going to be able to support our community the way it should,” said Merrifield.
“We are the economic hub, and if we want to remain vibrant and competitive, we need that leadership and collaboration and a clear path forward.”
Business owners react
Two local business owners — Glen MacLean of Java Moose and Elizabeth Cook of Handworks Gallery — were quoted in the letter.
MacLean, whose business had its window smashed during an alleged assault in August, said doing nothing is not an option.
“Just like a broken plate glass window, the cracks are showing. If we don’t act proactively, the damage will cost much more to repair,” he said.
Cook said she constantly hears complaints from customers about concerns coming uptown due to, among other things, a general feeling of being unsafe.
“As a store owner on King Street, it feels like we are constantly facing a new demand to pivot every couple of weeks,” she said. “We are seemingly on our own when it comes to dealing with increased threats of violence and theft.”
Merrifield, meanwhile, said she is confident they can work with the city and the province to help chart a path forward and restore public confidence.
