The Happy Valley-Goose Bay council is hoping the provincial government will live up to its election promise of safer communities in the face of what the it sees as a local public safety crisis.
The town has been dealing for years with increasing levels of vagrancy, drugs and criminal activity and Mayor Bert Pomeroy says it’s only getting worse.
The provincial government provided the town with $500,000 a couple of years ago, which helped, but Pomeroy says the needs are far beyond that. Having public housing units boarded up is not helping.
“The provincial government campaigned on public safety…(and) people in our community need to see that commitment reflected on the ground. What are the solutions? I think…better communications, working with the community…and trying to improve safety in the town.”
Helen Conway Ottenheimer (VOCM News)
Minister admits to ‘complex issues’ facing town
Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer has held what she calls “productive conversations” with the town council on the issues faced in the town.
“There are complex issues there” the minister acknowledges, “but I think there is an agreement that we have to have a multi-departmental approach to the issues that exist there.” She says she’s already spoken with the ministers of health, social supports and well being, and municipal affairs.”
The town recently hired a municipal enforcement officer to conduct patrols and enforce property standards, permits, parking infractions and public complaints.
