Some business operators in the downtown have noticed a dramatic increase in criminal activity in recent years, and it’s having an effect on their staff and customers.
St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen says rising concern has caught the attention of council who are calling on the government for increased police presence in the capital to try to address the situation.
Yash Mishra of Subway on Water Street says he’s noticed more disturbances and property damage over the last three years, particularly in the overnight hours.
The company has taken security measures to protect staff, but still, the incidents are scary, with staff even being threatened.
“It’s a lot of problem overnight, especially when you have to deal with people who are already drunk and already high on drugs. They come in and do anything, smash chairs…you know?”
None of their staff have been injured, but he says the situation is growing worse.
Sullivan Power of Blue on Water understands that mental health and addictions go hand-in-hand with some of the troubling behavior they’re seeing, but it’s having an impact on business.
“It’s intimidating to guests, you have people from out of town, even locals, you have them getting aggressively chased for money, you have them being threatened if they don’t give (them) money, and it’s a deterrent to your business. People don’t want to come in your door, if they got to walk through this type of harassment to come out and have a nice meal, or go shopping on Water Street or whatever you’re going downtown for.”