Concerns over the city’s Code Blue program and traffic safety dominated the New Brunswick City Council meeting on December 4, 2024, as residents voiced their frustrations and called for immediate action.

Community members highlighted the stark contrast in care provided at local shelters, emphasizing the need for increased capacity and better resources. One speaker passionately described the positive impact of a well-run shelter, stating, “There’s a hot meal. The beds are more comfortable. People have dignity.” This sentiment underscored a growing demand for the city to enhance its Code Blue services, which provide emergency shelter during extreme weather conditions.

Several attendees urged the council to address the limited availability of beds and the disorganized nature of Code Blue alerts, which often come too late for those in need. “We need more beds. We need more warming centers,” one resident insisted, pointing out that neighboring counties have implemented more effective programs.

Traffic safety also emerged as a critical issue, with reports of two recent hit-and-run incidents raising alarms among residents. Questions were raised about the police department's response to these cases, particularly regarding a victim's claim that officers stated they do not investigate hit-and-runs unless there is a fatality. Captain Hoover acknowledged the ongoing investigations but noted that there was a discrepancy between the victim's account and the department's practices. “We are aware of that quote. It was handed off to internal affairs,” he stated, emphasizing that all cases are being actively pursued.

The meeting concluded with a call for transparency and accountability from the police department regarding their policies on hit-and-run investigations. Residents left with a sense of urgency, hoping for tangible improvements in both community support services and public safety measures in the near future.