After the theft of a historic bell from a church in Fredericton post-Christmas, a nearby security camera captured an image of a pickup truck involved in the incident. Unfortunately, the photo only showed the front of the truck, omitting the license plate, as noted by Ross Hebb, the church’s former minister. Despite the recovery of a portion of the bell, the perpetrators remain unidentified.
The incident has sparked discussions regarding the removal of front license plates, a change implemented in 2019 by the former Progressive Conservative government. At the time, Carl Urquhart, the public safety minister, mentioned that if the removal led to an increase in criminal activities, reconsidering the use of front plates could be on the table.
While the current New Brunswick government argues that there hasn’t been a significant rise in crime due to the absence of front plates, a business in Hanwell has faced multiple thefts over the past five years. Classic Stoves and Fireplaces, a family-owned business, encountered thefts ranging from catalytic converters to a 40-foot ladder, with no license plates visible on the security footage.
Jodi Harrington from the business expressed frustration over the lack of front license plates, which could have aided in identifying the culprits. The ongoing thefts have led local businesses in the area to collaborate by sharing security camera images of suspects to combat the increasing criminal activities.
Although the Department of Justice and Public Safety did not provide insights into the challenges posed by the absence of front plates, Minister Robert Gauvin stated that no substantial data supports the notion that reintroducing front plates would enhance police effectiveness or road safety.
Despite concerns raised by law enforcement agencies about the elimination of front plates, the government seems reluctant to reverse the decision. Chief Robert Bruce of the Saint John Police Force emphasized that the absence of front plates makes vehicle identification more challenging, especially for law enforcement purposes. Additionally, the New Brunswick Association of Chiefs of Police has urged the government to impose stricter penalties, like vehicle seizure, for individuals evading the police.