St. Andrews, NB launches security camera rebate program

The Town of St. Andrews has launched a new initiative aimed at curbing crime. Residents within the municipal boundaries are eligible to apply for a one-time rebate of up to $100 to assist with the installation of exterior security cameras on their properties.

"NB Power now has the ability to put a low-resolution camera in streetlights, but there's a monthly monitoring charge for that that's quite pricey," said St. Andrews Mayor Brad Henderson. "And we talked about the fact that it's low-resolution and a high monthly fee. How can we better use dollars to make a bigger impact, to have more eyes and ears in our communities through cameras? And that's where the idea came from."

The town has allocated $5,000 for the program, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted or until the program ends on Halloween. To qualify, residents must provide a receipt for a camera purchased between August 12 and October 31 and submit a photograph as proof of installation. Participants must also agree to share footage with local authorities if their cameras capture any criminal activity. This initiative comes after a string of break-ins occurred in the community. 

"We are starting to see an increase in property theft. And as a council, there's a lot of things that you can't control," said Mayor Henderson. "There's things you can lobby for. You can lobby for the fact that I believe our RCMP are under-resourced in the province of New Brunswick. You can lobby for the fact that our region does not have enough support for mental health. You can lobby that our region doesn't have enough support for addiction services. And you can lobby to say, Our courts continue to let repeat offenders right back out on the street the day that they're arrested. So there's a lot of things you can lobby for, but you can't control. But this is a program within our own municipal boundaries that we can take ownership for and do something."

The success of the program will be evaluated annually, with the potential for expansion based on community uptake and feedback.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an arson incident in St. Andrews. On the night of August 9, police responded to a structure fire on Parr Street. The building was unoccupied at the time; however, the homeowners' cats perished in the fire. The suspect remains in custody after appearing in Saint John Provincial Court on Monday and is scheduled to appear again later this month. 

St Stephen hosts two beloved annual festivals

That extra sweet time of year came back to the town of St. Stephen this past week. Chocolate Fest, as well as the International Homecoming Festival, got community members of all ages to celebrate the heritage of the area throughout the week.

Families from all over participated in candy-themed activities like chocolate chip cookie decorating, the iconic bark making, and so much more Chocolate Fest had to offer this year. St. Stephen was filled with people going to and from events, making sure to stop at the Ganong Chocolate Museum to learn more about the town's history.

"I think it's a great impact on the community," said Jeff McShane of the Ganong Chocolate Museum. "It brings in several people from all over the place, all over the province, that come to our little community and really enjoy everything about chocolate and what Ganong and candy have in common."

Wednesday evening, both St. Stephen, NB and Calais, Maine were getting ready for the annual Hands Across the Border opening ceremony for the International Homecoming Festival. On our Canadian side, the evening started off with a small gathering enjoying the sun, complimentary hot dogs, and a speech from Sergeant Paul "Trapper" Cane.

Beginning on either side of the Ferry Point Bridge, community members walked across the border to come together as one to officially kick off the International Fest.

"It means a lot to me," said St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern. "It's just when two countries come together, no matter what craziness is going on in the world, that's all to one side. It was like brother and sister, so to speak. And it's great. I forward to having this Hands Across the Border because all that aside, no matter what your political views are or anything and what's going on in this world, we get together every year and we share this international Festival week."

Both towns closed off traffic on the bridge for the annual exchange of community sentiments, flags, and cupcakes. With all of this and more happening in the town of St. Stephen, international fest and chocolate fest are celebrated hand in hand by those far and wide.