A notification has gone home to parents of Bessborough School students, due to an increased police presence in the mornings at the facility.
The message states Codiac RCMP have partnered with city school to assist with morning playground checks to make sure nothing dangerous has been left behind on school grounds overnight.
This comes after concerns were raised including staff and students finding discarded needles on school property.
(Photo: submitted)
“Our schools and our office continue to communicate with the RCMP, community organizations and the municipality about the solutions and support they can provide for this ongoing issue. Our Facilities Team is in communication with our custodial staff from very early in the morning (when they begin their shift) until the evening custodians leave around 11 p.m. Any unauthorized persons on school grounds are asked to leave, any dangerous or illegal activity is reported to the RCMP,” Spokesperson for Anglophone East School District Stephanie Patterson stated. “We have contracted Eastern Security to patrol through the schools in the downtown area three times per night as an extra precaution.”
The letter to parents also states RCMP are also visiting with students to help them become more comfortable with officers.
Several meetings with City Councillors, RCMP and west end residents have been held, with concerns over crime in their neighbourhoods.
Residents have said the City needs better policing and more mental health programs.
A meeting is planned for Thursday, June 16th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Harrison Trimble High School Auditorium where a committee will present a Community Safety Action Plan and Recommendations in response to the three recent Town Hall Meetings.
