New Brunswick·NewPatrick Gillespie, co-owner at Ashford investments, says frequent theft and vandalism have forced him to spend over $250,000 on security systems and repairs. The commercial landlord has begun a community group called The Enough is Enough Coalition.Coalition formed as businesses reach ‘boiling point’Rhythm Rathi · CBC News · Posted: Nov 29, 2025 5:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 30 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Patrick Gillespie says his company has spent over a quarter million dollars on security systems and break-in repairs in 2025. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)Windows on Patrick Gillespie’s Edmonton Avenue property in central Moncton are boarded up after five break-ins within a two week span in November. He said he regularly deals with vandalism and property crimes at his many commercial properties, but five incidents in two weeks was a record — and his last straw.Gillespie, a co-owner of Ashford Investments, has started a coalition of business owners planning to lobby the municipal and provincial governments and local police to do more to prevent these costly crimes. “The break-ins have been escalating,” he said. “It’s just every single week something happens, somebody breaks in, somebody vandalizes, somebody accosts someone, someone lights a dumpster on fire … it just keeps going,” he said.Gillespie said his Edmonton Avenue property is left with boarded windows after multiple break-ins within two weeks. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)Gillespie’s group, called Enough Is Enough, has started a petition demanding solutions. As of Nov. 28, the petition had around 3,000 signatures. “We are asking people to share their stories so that we can in turn pass that stuff on to the authorities,” he said.Crime costly for business owners, landlordsGillespie said he has already spent over $250,000 on cameras, alarms, security systems and security guards in 2025. That amount also includes repair costs for break-ins and vandalism across different properties. Gillespie said a majority of his properties are now on a system that requires people to buzz in first. The landlord said he is also looking to install 24/7 artificial intelligence camera monitoring.John Nicholson, a glazer and automatic door technician at First Class Glass says repair calls from across the city have surged in the last few years. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)John Nicholson, a glazer and automatic door technician at First Class Glass said for the last couple of years, his weeks have been very busy.A few years ago, he said he was getting a couple of calls per week, but now, the calls come on a daily basis.”I’ve been here three times this week,” said Nicholson, standing outside Gillespie’s Edmonton Avenue property.WATCH | Five break-ins within two weeks frustrate landlord:Moncton commercial landlord calls for action against property crimePatrick Gillespie, co-owner at Ashford investments, says frequent theft and vandalism have forced him to spend over $250,000 on security systems and repairs.Kim Wilson, CEO of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, said businesses have come to her and expressed concerns around safety and security.She said most of the stories she hears are around theft, which results in loss and disruption for the businesses.”I think … the frustration is a sense of lack of action in the community,” she said.Kim Wilson, CEO of Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, said a lot of the stories she hears from businesses involve theft. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)Wilson said the increase in crime is a challenge that comes with the region’s growing population. However, she said the problem exists across the country and is not unique to the Greater Moncton area.”We believe the best path forward is one where we get all the stakeholders together, all levels of government, law enforcement, different community partners and we have a collaborative discussion … and create concrete action plans.”RCMP data shows decrease in property crimeDespite apparent growing concern from businesses, Codiac Regional RCMP’s data shows a declining trend in property crimes. Police statistics show the annual number of occurrences dropped from 5,829 in 2023 to 5,328 in 2024.The report says 4,784 incidents were recorded between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2025, which shows a continued downward trend. Property crimes include break-ins, theft, mischief, arson and fraud.A spokesperson for the RCMP said police have made some “significant arrests” which have helped to reduce incidents.Gillespie said a majority of his downtown buildings have been put on a buzzer system for more security. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)”We believe that these arrests could have directly led to reductions in property crime,” wrote Insp. Jonathan White in an email to CBC News. “Some habitual offenders have also passed away this year.” White encourages citizens to report to the RCMP whenever they witness or suspect a crime. He said businesses are also urged to secure their properties and to make regular checks.Patrick Richard, executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. said property crime has been “steadily high” for the last three years.He believes one solution could be to increase police foot patrols in the downtown.”We have a lot of businesses that are affected with petty crime, with vandalism, shoplifting and just overall nuisance,” said Richard. “It’s daily.”Patrick Richard, executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville, said property crime is a recurring topic during conversations with business owners. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)”We have tariffs, we have employment issues or finding individuals to work the stores … and then they have to worry about coming in in the morning and their window is broken,” he said.Richard said the Enough Is Enough coalition comes as many businesses have reached a “boiling point” and are hoping their concerns will be heard during the municipal elections in the spring.ABOUT THE AUTHORRhythm Rathi is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. He was born and raised in India, and attended journalism school in Ontario. Send your story tips to rhythm.rathi@cbc.ca
Moncton businesses demand help, say property crime in city is escalating
