Saint John aims to address “nuisance behaviors” through updated bylaws that would affect all city residents and visitors, with a particular focus on homeless individuals, according to city councillors. The proposed nuisance bylaw, which received unanimous approval during Monday night’s readings, targets issues like loitering, soliciting, vandalism, littering, and public urination and defecation.
Under the new bylaw, fines would range from $140 to $2,100, with the removal of the solicitation section from the existing Use of Sidewalks Bylaw to be covered under the nuisance bylaw. Amy Poffenroth, the commissioner of growth and community services, emphasized that the bylaw is meant to apply citywide to all citizens and visitors.
Concerns were raised by Coun. Joanna Killen regarding potential unfair targeting of homeless residents who may struggle to pay fines. Poffenroth assured that individuals on the streets would be treated with sensitivity, with fines being a last resort after attempting to secure voluntary compliance through education about the regulations.
The critical aspect of the new bylaw, still pending a third reading, is a section on loitering that prohibits obstruction within 20 meters of various establishments, including schools, places of worship, and retail outlets. Coun. Gary Sullivan emphasized the importance of respecting public spaces and suggested that enforcement officers could guide homeless individuals towards social services rather than solely enforcing fines.
Sullivan stressed that the goal is not punitive enforcement but rather corrective conversations to assist individuals in accessing support services. The intention is to provide guidance rather than strictly penalize individuals for non-compliance with the bylaw.
