Following the theft of a historic bell from a church in Fredericton after the holiday season, a security camera from a nearby property captured an image of a pickup truck involved in the incident.
The photo shared by the Fredericton police only showed the front of the truck, lacking the crucial license plate information, according to the church’s former minister, Ross Hebb.
Despite the recovery of a portion of the stolen bell, the perpetrators behind the theft remain unidentified.
This incident has sparked discussions on the implications of eliminating front license plates, a decision implemented in 2019 by the former Progressive Conservative government.ÂÂ
At the time, the former Public Safety Minister, Carl Urquhart, stated that if the removal of front plates resulted in a significant rise in crime, the reimplementation of front plates would be considered.
Currently, the New Brunswick government asserts that the province has not experienced a notable spike in criminal incidents, although a local business in Hanwell may beg to differ.
In close proximity to the targeted church, a business in Hanwell has encountered several thefts over the past five years.
The incidents ranged from thefts of catalytic converters from company vehicles to the theft of an entire van. Most recently, a 40-foot ladder disappeared near one of the company’s outbuildings constructed to safeguard the van from potential theft.
Jodi Harrington, who is involved in various roles at Classic Stoves and Fireplaces, a family-owned business, highlighted the challenges faced due to the absence of visible license plates on security footage.
Harrington expressed that the absence of front license plates hindered the investigation process following thefts, emphasizing the potential assistance front plates could provide in identifying suspects.
She described the frequent comments from investigating officers about the benefits of front license plates as “disheartening,” noting the missed opportunities to apprehend criminals due to this absence.
In response to the escalating thefts in Hanwell, local businesses in the industrial park have initiated an email group to share security camera footage of perpetrators.
Despite efforts, the stolen catalytic converters were never recovered, incurring substantial costs for the business with each incident. Similarly, the missing ladder was never found, although the van with company branding was located in Salisbury.
Harrington acknowledged the challenges posed by the thefts, stating that they have become an unavoidable aspect of conducting business.
By discontinuing the use of front license plates, New Brunswick joined Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia as the only provinces in Canada that require front plates. In the United States, slightly over half of the states mandate both front and back plates.
Despite requests for interviews on the impacts of not having
