With the removal of dedicated officers in all 5 priority neighbourhoods comes fear the crime rate will increase and hard work to create relationships and trust will be lost.
Community groups have been public about their concerns.
Saint John Police Chief John Bates says he empathizes with their concerns saying the operational changes made to the police service was something they had to do. But he also says quality service will still be delivered in Saint John.
In December he said that the face of policing in Saint John would change due to the budget cuts and he tells us for the time being it has.
Chief Bates says Sgt. David Hartley-Brown is still available to work with groups from the 5 priority neighbourhoods and if needed they can reach into patrol services for help on that.
