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CBC
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Fredericton launches dashboard to track public safety gambits, but most improvements aren't under its purview
A Fredericton council committee is starting to publicly track a laundry list of initiatives aimed at increasing public safety. But while many of those initiatives are outside of the city's jurisdiction, Fredericton officials say they still want to illustrate progress for the public. Fredericton CAO Steve Hart presented to the Public Safety Committee on Thursday afternoon, sharing a new public webpage dashboard tracking how the initiatives are being completed. One slide presented to council showed that out of 47 initiatives, just 14 are fully within the city's jurisdiction. Another 29, including housing and health-care goals, are under the province's mandate, and four are either federal or jointly owned by different levels of government. The 47 recommendations, created by a city task force that included residents and city and provincial officials, come after public concerns about rising crime and reports from downtown businesses about a recent spike in theft, property damage and vandalism. In an interview, Hart said although the city can take its own actions, they won't have a substantial impact on public safety without the larger actions from the province. Hart said it's important to show the public what actions are being completed, "even though [the city] doesn't have control over whether or not the province does make success or has challenges with those recommendations." In terms of budget, Hart said any item recommendations under the city's actions that haven't been budgeted for already will be included in the budget process this fall. The dashboard will include clear "milestones" and "success criteria" to measure how initiatives are tackled, but when asked by reporters about timelines, committee chair Eric Megarity said it "could be a 10-year plan, 20-year plan, but it's sort of what I call maybe an unending story." "Are we ever going to solve it?" Megarity said. "I don't have those answers, but at least we're working towards this to exercise some control over the situation." The presentation said the city has already secured federal funding for security infrastructure, such as security cameras and more trail lighting, as well as creating a 24/7 mobile outreach unit to serve vulnerable populations. Other initiatives still in progress are lighting and security cameras for bus stops and streets, increased police presence in business districts and enhancing neighbourhood watch programs. Fredericton Police Force Chief Gary Forward also told the committee that the force wants to establish a petty crimes unit by January and develop a "prolific offender" strategy. Data clearly shows "there's a percentage of the population that is responsible for the majority of serious crimes," Forward said in an interview. When asked whether petty crimes have not been a focus of the force, Forward said there have been staffing challenges, but said the force will be getting a dozen new graduates from the Atlantic Police Academy in the fall. Forward said another initiative is to have the force take more advantage of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods program, known as SCAN. SCAN allows provincial officials to shut down buildings if they suspect illegal activity is happening there. Under SCAN, no criminal charges need to be laid or proven for an eviction to take place, but provincial officers must get an order from a judge to shut down a property or business. Downtown Fredericton executive director Adam Peabody said in an interview that downtown business owners have been dealing with increased rates of crime, theft, vandalism property damage, and people being disruptive to customers and staff. "I think this level of transparency, reporting, input collecting is going to be critical … to bring that collective action and build the safe community that we all know that we have and should be proud of," Peabody said. Councillor says more accountability needed from province The presentation was "a great start," said Coun. Bruce Grandy, "but when you bring partners in and all they're doing is feeding you information to feed us, there's no accountability there. "There has to be some accountability of people standing in front of us if they're going to be our partner and be willing to take questions from us." Megarity said he hopes to have the province come to the committee this fall, but that an appearance hasn't been agreed on yet. Mayor Kate Rogers, who attended virtually, said public safety is a key priority for this council, and that despite the need for working with the province, there's still lots of room for the city to be nimble and deliver on recommendations. "The way we laid this out is because we want residents to know what piece of this we own," Rogers said. CBC News requested an interview with the Department of Public Safety, but an emailed statement was sent instead, which said the department is reviewing the city's report. "We look forward to working with the city and stakeholders to address these important issues," said spokesperson Jadesola Emmanuel.
CBS News
29-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Baltimore leaders continue to examine opioid trends, consider solutions to drug crisis after mass overdose
The Baltimore City Council's Public Safety Committee heard about opioid trends and potential solutions to the drug crisis during a meeting Tuesday, nearly two weeks after a mass overdose in the Penn North community. Advocates and members of local and state fire, health and law enforcement agencies attended the hearing to share their perspectives on the city's opioid crisis and available addiction resources. "I believe that it is integral to the success of our city that we talk about it openly," said Councilman Mark Conway. "That we get folks out of the shadows and out of…some of the difficulties and shame that comes with addiction to talk about what we're experiencing in our city." During the hearing, agencies and advocates shared the latest data on opioid use and overdoses, and considered resources to curb the drug crisis. According to City Council President Zeke Cohen's office, the city recorded more than 6,000 overdose deaths between 2013 and 2022. Between 2012 and 2022, the city's overdose death rate passed that of other major cities, despite an effort to reduce cases by distributing naloxone, a medication that reverses overdoses, and implementing syringe exchanges. In 2024, overdose deaths dropped by 25%, according to Cohen's office. The mass overdose in Penn North, which hospitalized 27 people, "reinforced the need for sustained public health engagement and stronger interagency coordination," Cohen said. The mass overdose in Baltimore on July 10 is still under investigation, according to police. However, scientists with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) claim that samples collected from the site revealed a mix of illicit drugs that included fentanyl and N-Methylclonazepam, a powerful sedative. Mayor Brandon Scott said police are still working to determine the source of the overdose, and were wary of NIST's results, saying they collect samples from several areas in the state. On July 18, five more people were hospitalized after another overdose was reported in Penn North. Police said there was no evidence to suggest that the two incidents were related. The overdoses prompted advocates and community partners to flood the Penn North community with resources and as part of an aggressive harm reduction effort. Leaders with the Mayor's Office of Overdose Response and the city Health Department handed out Narcan and shared information about addiction treatment centers in the area. Those in need of assistance can find resources by calling the 988 hotline or visiting the Maryland Department of Health's Overdose Response Program website here.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Officials consider ban on generations-old coastal tradition: 'Trying to ... stop hungry, dangerous animals from being drug into the surf zone'
Officials consider ban on generations-old coastal tradition: 'Trying to ... stop hungry, dangerous animals from being drug into the surf zone' A South Carolina community is considering banning a longtime practice on its beaches in the name of safety. According to News 2 in Charleston, the city of Isle of Palms, located off the coast of South Carolina, is considering banning shark fishing from its beaches and piers in the name of keeping sharks away from waters where people swim. "What I'm trying to do is stop hungry, dangerous animals from being drug into the surf zone where people are swimming," said Blair Hahn, a member of the Isle of Palms City Council. The Public Safety Committee of Isle of Palms initially proposed a motion that would restrict the times and locations at which shark fishing would be allowed in the area, saying it would be prohibited on any beach or pier between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Memorial Day until Labor Day. "That's what we're considering, if you're a hobbyist or you do it certain times of the year, certain hours of the day that may be okay, that's what we took to council," said Isle of Palms Councilmember Rusty Streetman, a member of the public safety committee. "But when we had the council discussion there was the other side of the story too that said maybe we should just consider banning shark fishing totally." However, recreational beach fishermen won't be impacted by the ban; only those specifically fishing for sharks. If a recreational fisherman accidentally hooks a shark and releases it back into the surf, they'll face no penalty. "The big thing here is it's a discussion about making sure that people still have the ability to fish," said Isle of Palms Police Chief Kevin Cornett. "We're not trying to prohibit anybody from doing something like that. I fish, many of our council members fish, we see a benefit to that but it's trying to make sure we weigh everybody's rights, everybody's safety." The legislation is being debated as a result of an uptick in shark attacks in other South Carolina beach communities. Two shark attacks were reported on Hilton Head within a week of each other in late June. Sharks are a vital and important part of the marine ecosystem; as apex predators, they help keep fish populations in check and transport nutrients, and they seldom bite humans. CBS News reported there were just 69 confirmed shark bites in 2024, a slight increase from the five-year average of 63 but "within the range of the normal number of bites," according to Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's shark research program. Ultimately, though, efforts to protect people swimming and playing are a good way to keep both the people and the sharks safe. In the long run, that will help protect our ocean ecosystem. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
Where are most crimes happening in Myrtle Beach area? These areas have the highest
The amount of crime happening in Horry County has been a top concern of local residents. It's not just crime that is increasing, it's also the boldness of the suspects who commit the crimes. In recent months, law enforcement has dealt with a string of high-profile crimes in Horry County, including a shooting at a Little River boat party, suspects shooting at police during a high-speed chase and three shootings – two that were deadly – on North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach. Data shows that certain areas of Horry County receive a higher number of crimes than other areas. But, in reality, no area has been immune from criminal activity. Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt said that this year is on track to be one of the busiest in the number of incidents for police. Most of it is occurring near permanent residents along the coast with gang activity heightening near inland towns of Aynor and Longs, Leonhardt said. However, an independent crime statistics organization shows that most of the violent crimes are happening in the tourist areas of the county, as well as in the Carolina Forest area. Carolina Forest in the Myrtle Beach area has seen a tremendous population growth, requiring additional schools to be built, roads to be widened and emergency services to build additional fire stations and add more police units to keep up with the influx of crime and growth. Horry County Police is adding a fifth police precinct in the Carolina Forest area to be implemented in August and a new gang police unit which is already in place. During a public safety meeting in June, Leonhardt highlighted a high in calls for service with more than 16,000 received in May. That includes 337 calls for violent crimes, according to Horry County data from a May Public Safety Committee meeting agenda. Calls for service occur when emergency personnel are requested to respond to an emergency situation, such as a 911 call or a directive from a passerby. During the same time last year, police received more than 17,000 calls for service. But Horry County Police also did not have as many deadly or violent incidents as they have this year, the chief said. Where's the most crime? Tourist areas dominate calls for service in Horry County, police data shows. The south precinct encompasses Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Socastee, which from 2023 to May 2025 has almost always received the most calls for service out of Horry County Police's four precincts. Leonhardt said the south is the busiest because it's where most permanent residents live. But a more detailed map from Crime Grade shows that most violent crime incidents per capita in Horry County occur in tourist areas where fewer residents live, not in Socastee or other residential areas. Crime Grade rates counties across the country based on machine-learning projection from previous reported data. At the end of each projection, it gives a grade. Myrtle Beach earned a D+ for its overall crime grade. Crime Grade's map shows that more crime occurred in Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Heights, near 21st and 22nd avenues North to Springmaid Beach, and even the Market Common district. That area includes popular tourist destinations like North Ocean Boulevard. However, Crime Grade pointed out that these areas may show high crime in part because of the few permanent residents in the area. 'Areas with high visitor traffic, such as shopping districts, may appear to have higher crime rates simply because more crimes occur where people gather – even if few residents live there,' according to the interpretation from Crime Grade's website. 'The south part of the county has more retail establishments, which can artificially inflate violent crime rates in that area.' It is the same explanation offered by Myrtle Beach city officials and Police Chief Amy Prock, who said that many of the recent violent crimes happening in the city have been committed by people who are not from Horry County. The deadly mass shooting that involved a Myrtle Beach Police officer in April occurred in the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard and begun after a Marlboro County teenager allegedly fired his weapon into a crowd along a busy sidewalk downtown. Marlboro County, which includes Bennettsville, where the gunman lived, was given an F for crime and the city is shown with a high level of crime, according to Crime Grade's data. Other high violent crime areas in Horry County include Carolina Forest and neighborhoods along S.C. 9 between Loris and Longs where Horry County Police have said gang activity is high. The latest data showed the south precinct had received more than 6,000 calls for service in May. The north precinct, which contains Longs, Little River and North Myrtle Beach, is the fastest growing precinct in the county and where the county's new gang unit focuses much of its efforts, Leonhardt said. It received more than 4,700 calls for service in May. Leonhardt said that Horry County is not necessarily becoming more dangerous, but residents are seeing more crime because of the department's transparency efforts and media coverage. 'We see more bigger crime, so to speak,' Leonhardt said. 'We've always had crime issues. I think we're doing a better job of getting that information out there to our public so we are more transparent showing what is going on in your community. So I think that is great.' Locals commit crime too Myrtle Beach, however, continues to be reported as one of the most dangerous cities in South Carolina, according to previous reporting. It's something that city officials have continually refuted. Police agencies in Horry County reported 19 murders, according to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's most recent crime report in 2023. That number is greater than almost all other police agencies in the state, though the murder rate per capita is lower than other counties such as Marlboro, Florence and Marion counties, the report showed. Leonhardt said that despite skepticism that most crimes come from people from outside the Myrtle Beach area, it's more complicated than placing most blame on non-residents. Many permanent residents commit crime in Horry County too, he said. More than 17 million people visit the Myrtle Beach area every year according to Visit Myrtle Beach. 'We have a mixture really because we are such a destination area,' Leonhardt said. 'So you'll see some of what I call 'transient crime' come here, they'll look for opportunities, if they find those, they exploit them, then they leave.' HCPD's strategy To deal with the influx of people in Horry County, the department will implement a fifth police precinct in the Carolina Forest area by Aug. 26. The department has also filled around 50 positions in two years which is unprecedented for other departments in the area, HCPD Public Information Officer Mikayla Moskov said. Myrtle Beach Police has previously said it has a shortage of 50 officers. 'We always keep track of our statistics,' Leonhardt said. 'Growth really drove the desire to start a new precinct and to be able to provide better services.' Horry County's population has grown by more than 60,000 people or 17.1% from 2020 to 2024, according to the U.S. Census. Leonhardt said the department's main safety strategy is deterrence through visibility. 'Being that visible deterrent is a huge first step,' Leonhardt said. 'But on the backside of that, it goes to growing those specialty units that can focus on special crimes. We've grown our traffic team, we've grown our street crimes team, our narcotics team, the implementation of the new gang unit has helped, I think it's a fine combination of all that is making a difference to make our community safer really.' Leonhardt has been working with HCPD since 2002, and has lived in the county since he was 6 or 7 years old, he said. Despite many of the crimes residents are seeing around the area, he couldn't pick a place he wouldn't live in. 'I live in Little River. I've lived there my whole life. I don't plan on going anywhere,' Leonhardt said. 'I love it. It's just my area, and so I think to say one area I couldn't do it, because it's all unique and it brings its own special flavor.'
Indianapolis Star
17-07-2025
- Indianapolis Star
New Indy youth curfew would include fine for parents. Here's how much
A stricter youth curfew in Marion County — with fines up to $7,500 for parents of violators — has moved one step closer to becoming law in Indianapolis. An Indianapolis City-County Council committee voted unanimously July 16 to make the youth curfew two hours earlier, meaning children ages 15-17 won't be allowed in public unsupervised past 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and past 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Children under 15 will face a 9 p.m. curfew every day. But the stricter curfew won't take effect until after a full council vote Aug. 11 and will remain in place for only 120 days, at which point the council will decide whether to extend or relax the policy. Until then, including during this weekend's busy WNBA All-Star festivities, Indianapolis police will enforce the state law that sets youth curfews two hours later. This weekend, police will debut a downtown site where officers will take kids who violate curfew and connect them with their parents or guardians. The change comes after hundreds of unsupervised teens lingered downtown in the hours following the Fourth of July fireworks show, culminating in a mass shooting after midnight that killed Xavion Jackson, 16, and Azareaon S. Cole, 15. Two other teens and three adults were also injured. The curfew ordinance doesn't create a criminal offense for children, but it does grant police the authority to detain them. The policy allows several exceptions for kids who are returning home from work, a school activity or a religious event, among others. The only possible penalty is fining the parents or guardians of repeat violators up to $2,500 for a first offense and up to $7,500 for a second offense, according to council attorney Brandon Beeler. The council doesn't have the authority to require mandatory parenting classes as previously discussed, said Leroy Robinson, chair of the Public Safety Committee, which passed the new proposal. Multiple councilors, particularly council Republicans, said they support harsh penalties for parents or guardians who neglect to look after their children. "We don't want to make this punitive for the children particularly, we want to help them," Democratic Councilor Dan Boots said. "But we've tried various things for decades, and we're still having a big problem. "Historically, we've whipped people with wet noodles," Boots added. "Our enforcement's been pretty weak. People don't feel the pain, so therefore they don't fix the problem." While councilors tout the curfew as an important tool to keep children safe, critics say it will be ignored and even mocked by teens who are already willing to break the law by carrying guns. Kids as young as 13 and 14 were charged with gun possession over the Fourth of July weekend, and a total of eight teens and three adults face charges in connection with the downtown mayhem, according to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. Fraternal Order of Police President Rick Snyder, who represents all IMPD officers, told councilors they need to demand harsher penalties from the prosecutor and the court system. "We're talking about criminally violent offenders armed with guns who ... are laughing at what we're doing here tonight," Snyder said. "They know nothing will happen to them in the juvenile justice system," Snyder added. "That's a huge red flag." The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department hasn't enforced the state curfew for years because the juvenile court system was unwilling to process violations, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said. That changed last year after a different downtown Indianapolis mass shooting wounded seven teens, and IMPD officers announced plans to enforce the curfew. "Voluntary compliance is what we all want," Bailey said while speaking in support of the bill Wednesday night. "Keep your kids home so they stay alive, so they don't end up in our custody for some criminal charge, or they don't catch a stray round."
