Frustrations are boiling over in Happy Valley-Goose Bay as council grapples with an increase in criminal and disruptive activity in the town.

The town recently announced that it is removing benches from around the community where people are congregating. Mayor George Andrews says they’re struggling as a community to deal with the growing problem and they’re getting little government response.

Andrews indicates they’re still trying to get information on a planned security process outlined in the last provincial budget.

Opposition Justice critic Helen Conway Ottenheimer questioned Justice Minister John Hogan in the House of Assembly.

She says children enrolled in daycare in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are unable to go for supervised walks because of potential safety risks. Minister Hogan says he looks forward to meeting with the mayor on how the $500,000 allotted for public safety can be used to address concerns. He admits the issues are complex and can’t just be eliminated “with the stroke of a pen.”