I’m planing to put a Civil Suit against the City of Saint John in the near future. I can’t seem to find a lawyer. I’ll have to do it on my own.
Should be interesting?
We haven’t heard from the New Brunswick Police Commission. It could be a nosy time in the Capital this summer.
Cops lying in the stand to convict the citizens in Saint John and they're doing a good job???
Give me a break!!!!
I have lots to say about this issue and the Legislature but my lawyer is holding me back. It's like keeping a Pittbull in a cage!!!
The Iron Horse is doing his job well.
Stay tuned....
Mary-Ellen Saunders
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday May 2nd, 2007
Appeared on page C2
A public opinion survey commissioned by the Saint John Police Force has found a majority of people saying they have faith in the city's police force but think crime is on the rise.
Heather Shuve, vice-president of Ipsos Reid, presented the results of the poll to the police commission during Tuesday's meeting.
The poll last November asked 454 Saint Johners a series of questions about the police force. Shuve said the survey also looked at the different regions of Saint John by asking polling an equal number of people from each of the city's four areas (north, west, east and south/central).
While 54 per cent of those surveyed thought crime in the city had increased over the past three years, only 28 per cent thought it had increased it their neighbourhood. Residents gave police a good performance review with 49 per cent saying police were doing a good job of ensuring the safety and security of citizens and 22 per cent saying they did a very good job.
"In some cases the perception of crime is actually higher than the reality of crime," said Saint John Police Chief Al Bodechon.
"I know from our reports that our crime has flattened, there isn't an increase in crime. So there is a difference between perception and reality...."
The survey showed people are the most concerned with different crimes in their neighbourhood than they are in the city.
Speeding cars, burglary, break and enters, youth crime, vandalism to property and theft from cars topped the charts of concerns in neighbourhoods. But in the city overall citizens were concerned about homelessness, the presence of drugs and drug dealers, speeding cars, youth crimes and assaults in that order.
"Actually I am very pleased with the results, an area brought up by the city, interestingly enough, is speeding cars, which seems to be a concern throughout the city and we have already made a significant decision to move to a full-time traffic enforcement unit and I think you will see a response in that area," said Bodechon.
While most of the people in the city were satisfied, or somewhat satisfied with the police, the results differed in each area. Citizens of the North End were the most satisfied, with 87 per cent polled as being very satisfied or satisfied. The South/Central area had the lowest percentage of satisfied citizens, with only 73 per cent claiming to be very satisfied or satisfied.
While most residents said they thought police service has remained about the same in the south/central, east and west areas, 54 per cent of residents in the North End said their service has improved.
Shuve said she was most surprised by the number of people who were satisfied with police services, especially in the North End.
"In terms of the level of improvement of police services in the North End, it really stood out as something that has been clearly targeted and has been recognized by residents in the city," said Shuve.
Bodechon said the results will be used to help form a business plan for the police force. He said the results of the survey will play a role in how the police deliver both strategical and tactical services.
