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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. (DMCI) reinstalls Kindness Meters in Moncton’s downtown!
(MONCTON – Tuesday, June 11, 2019) – As part of a multi-level approach with various partners, DMCI has once again installed Kindness Meters to help address the social issues present within Moncton’s downtown.
Kindness meters have been successfully used in several communities across North America. DMCI views the meters as a response to the ongoing panhandling concerns shared by downtown businesses, the general public, and concerned interest groups.
The Kindness Meters were not installed to keep panhandlers from downtown Moncton, which has often been a widespread misconception. They were installed to give people that may not be comfortable giving to a panhandler an alternative. The Kindness Meters act as a way to get the general public engaged on the issue of homelessness in our community.
Downtown Moncton’s vulnerable population can benefit from the funds donated because they go to the community organization that serve them. The Kindness Meters have been installed in locations where panhandling is prevalent. These meters are labelled, painted bright yellow/red/blue, and placed in a way that they will not be confused with the meters collecting parking revenue.
The locations of the meters have been approved by the City of Moncton and DMCI has installed them at the following three locations:
– Assumption Plaza (770 Main Street)
– National Bank (corner of Main & Alma)
– Café C’est la Vie (785 Main Street)
This project is intended to benefit the YMCA Reconnect Street Intervention Program, an organization that is on-the-ground downtown helping the homeless population.
Downtown Moncton has experienced an increasing problem with panhandling throughout the downtown core and has received assistance and collaboration to alleviate the issue from the City of Moncton’s by-law enforcement officials, which can be contacted by phone at 389-5928 or by email at info.enforcement@moncton.ca, the Codiac RCMP and the Downtown Ambassador Program.
DMCI is an independent entity funded by its stakeholders. It is a non-profit organization serving the interests of building and business owners located in the business improvement area. DMCI’s operations are based on three guiding principles, Downtown Fundamentals, Downtown Growth and Downtown Life.
For more information:
Michel LeBlanc
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc.
506-857-2991
mleblanc@downtownmoncton.com
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