Officials are slow to respond or do not take the reported crimes seriously, he said when about 100 residents of the western New Brunswick community gathered at McAdam High School on Monday night to express their concerns to high-ranking law enforcement officials. “Once upon a time in this country … we could rely on the police to do the job, to find the culprit,” said resident Don Doherty. “And then we could rely on the judiciary to put the criminal in jail. We can no longer count on that. “We have lost the sense of security.” The McAdam Village Council hosted the meeting, which was attended by Deanna Hill, New Brunswick RCMP Assistant Commissioner and Public Safety Secretary Bill Hogan. The following is an alleged vigil on June 4 that resulted in Billy McGillicuddy, a resident of neighboring St. Croix, accused of attacking Blake Scott with a baseball bat and aiming a saw with a shotgun at him. Billy McGillicuddy, 41, of St. Louis. Croix, near McAdam, faces six criminal charges, including possession of a firearm, assault with a firearm, unlawful restraint and unlawful assault with a firearm. (Billy McGillicuddy / Facebook) McGillicuddy’s three court appearances brought supporters to the fore, including McAdam Mayor Ken Stannix, who said he was backed by another man “who allegedly took the law into their own hands.” McAdam’s Dwain Gardner also faces four criminal charges stemming from the same incident.
“You support these … criminals”
Cathy Jewett lives in Fredericton but grew up in McAdam and her 68-year-old father still calls the community home. He said his house was burglarized earlier this year and was found looted when he returned after some time away. Jewett said the family called police and, to their surprise, were told it was not an incident they would send an officer to watch in person. She said another crime involving the theft and use of her father’s credit card was not properly monitored by police and she is now worried about what might happen next to him. “You are empowering these people in this criminal village,” Jewett said. “When you don’t show up at my dad’s crime scene – and that was it, it was a crime scene – it just proves to them that they can escape. “My dad is surrounded by people in this village on the street known to be the bad guys. I just want to know how to keep my 68-year-old dad safe in his house when you have people taking drugs, and I’m scared. “Will they come to his house when he is alone?”
Challenges of hiring officers
In her opening remarks, Hill said the RCMP was facing “unprecedented moments” to get the resources it needed. “We have never seen such issues that we face when people come to the door to apply,” he said. “It’s not just RCMP, it’s all over the country.” “I have been with RCMP for 32 years. I have never seen the difficult situation we are in now.” The meeting took the form of a panel discussion, with McAdam Mayor Ken Stannix, Justice and Public Safety Secretary Bill Hogan, New Brunswick RCMP Assistant Commissioner Deanna Hill, RCMP Supt. Andy LeClair, Supt. Dan Austin, Corp. Dave Penney, and St. Croix MLA Kathy Bockus. (Aidan Cox / CBC) Responding to complaints about RCMP response times, Hill noted that McAdam is part of a regional sharing model that includes St. Stephen. He said if there is one area he believes the RCMP needs to improve, it is its commitment to community members, including residents and municipal officials. “I think over the years we have somewhat strayed from that base and we are talking to the people we have to do, and I do not mean our men and our girls on the ground, I mean us. So nights like this are important. “ Asked in an interview after the meeting about the number of officers patrolling McAdam at any one time, Hill said she could not share this information as it could endanger the officers’ safety. He also declined to give details of what happened on June 4, the day of the alleged vigilance, saying it was a case before the courts. Responding to concerns about offenders committing more crimes while promising to appear in court, Hogan said his department is reconsidering who should be allowed such conditions. Hogan also said his department is considering redeploying some of the peacekeepers to conduct random patrols in less-policed areas, including McAdam.
Support for Billy and Dwain
Much of the dialogue was avoided by the two men accused of vigilance of justice, although a brief reference to them was made by one of those present. “I would just like to say that 95 percent of the people in this room support the justice of McAdam awarded by Billy and Dwayne,” the man said, followed by a standing ovation. “We’re bored.” About 100 people filled the gym at McAdam High School to tell senior RCMP officials directly that the Mounties were not doing their job. (Aidan Cox / CBC) The discussion then focused on what residents might do to defend themselves and their property, which was advised by the RCMP. Andy LeClair, head of the RCMP for the western region, said citizens had the right to protect themselves, but that they could only use “reasonable force”. For example, he said, if someone was holding a burglar, they would probably not be charged if the alleged burglar suffered any bruises. “Now, if you were beaten by the person who made the arrest, yes, you will put yourself in a difficult set of circumstances,” LeClair said. “Ultimately, we do not support the vigilance of justice.”
Optimistic about the future
Stannix warned that if people do not feel protected, they will find others to protect them. He also complained that criminals are protected by the current legal system. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said he was pleased with the turnout and hoped the RCMP would do something useful with the feedback they received. “I hope the change will take effect,” Stannix said. “I know it’s not going to be a quick change. It will take time, especially when you talk about how the judiciary works and all that, but at least it’s a start and the concern is there. “So if this level of criminal activity continues, it may become more of a political issue within the province and it could be the catalyst for real change.”
