Bridgewater Police say Cedar Place closure cutting crime, calls for service

Bridgewater Police say the closure of Cedar Place is already leading to fewer calls for service, fewer lockups and noticeable changes in the downtown core.

The King Street drop-in centre closed in March after months of concerns from the town, businesses and residents about crime, disorder and pressure on police resources in the area.

Deputy Chief Danny MacPhee said police were averaging about 15 calls a week tied to the site and people using it before the closure.

He said that fell to 15 total in the month after the centre shut down — a drop of about 75 per cent.

MacPhee also said prisoner lockups declined sharply, from roughly 30 per month during the busiest period to six in the month after closure.

Police say the lower call volume means officers can spend more time responding to other issues in Bridgewater.

MacPhee has also said the downtown core feels calmer, with changes residents and business owners have noticed quickly.

Mayor says businesses, residents reporting improvements

Mayor David Mitchell says council is hearing similar feedback from across the community.

“I have businesses saying their evening business has returned to pre-Cedar Place levels, that thefts are down to the point where one local business has said they no longer need private security,” Mitchell said.

He said residents have also told him they are more comfortable returning downtown.

“I have had strangers hug me in the grocery store thanking me and people telling me they have been walking downtown for the first time in two years.”

Mitchell said schools are also reporting no issues, while police lockups have returned to levels seen before Cedar Place opened.

“What not just me but the seven of us on council are hearing is that the closure of Cedar Place has had a dramatic positive impact on the town. Crime is down, the schools are reporting no issues, sales are up and for the taxpayer, we are back to pre-Cedar Place levels of lockups which saves thousands of dollars.”

He also rejected claims that problems connected to the former site have simply moved elsewhere in town.

“It’s not that the problem is now just spread around the town as that is categorically false,” he said.

The closure followed a lengthy public debate over Cedar Place, which offered drop-in services and supports. Some housing and outreach services tied to the site remained in operation after the daytime centre closed.