Fredericton stepping up safety measures to deal with social issues downtown [Video]

Authorities in Fredericton are instituting new safety measures downtown, following an uptick in complaints of crime from businesses in the area.

The city is expanding its Community Safety Services Unit, which is now available 24/7 on a trial basis through the winter. The fire department has also increased its presence, patrolling the city during the overnight hours in their trucks. And police will have additional officers working overnight to provide extra security in the business district and downtown throughout November.

The new measures come after a rash of break-ins, vandalism and an arson in the downtown that has frustrated business owners, city officials and police.

It’s an issue unfolding across the country, according to Tim Rissesco, president of Downtowns Atlantic Canada, an umbrella group of business improvement associations that’s based in Dartmouth, N.S.

“It’s a bit of a national problem that has kind of come from west to east,” he said. “We can sometimes see what they’re dealing with …