Violent incidents show a need for more police, Conception Bay North mayors say

Pieces of a charred vehicle can still be seen on this dirt road in Bay Roberts. According to police, human remains were found inside on Monday. (Mark Cumby/CBC)

Three days after a suspicious death in Bay Roberts, little is known, but the city's mayor says residents are feeling unwell and more police resources are needed.

On Monday, human remains were found in a burned pickup truck on a dirt road in Bay Roberts on Conception Bay in Newfoundland.

Bay Roberts Mayor Walter Yetman said the city extends its condolences to the person's family and that residents are naturally concerned about what happened.

“It is a terrible tragedy that has occurred in our community. “It’s concerning,” Yetman said Thursday.

Yetman said the RCMP has assured him there is no further threat to public safety and he is confident police will figure out what happened – but knows residents are concerned.

The burning truck was found two days after a similar incident in Makinsons, where a car believed to be involved in a violent shooting on Random Island was engulfed in flames.

It also recalls a similar suspicious death in the nearby community of Harbor Grace, where the remains of Adam Mercer were found in a burning vehicle. Those responsible were not brought to justice.

Bay Roberts Mayor Walter Yetman (left) and Harbor Grace Mayor Don Coombs say more police support is needed amid rising crime in their communities, highlighted by the discovery of human remains in a pickup truck. (Mark Cumby/CBC)

“I think of it as almost one big community. And given these three incidents, there is cause for concern,” Yetman said.

“We don’t want to take [police] Someone else's resources, but we have the numbers to prove it. The data proves we need more resources out here.”

Harbor Grace Mayor Don Coombs said he was shocked to learn of the incident Wednesday and its similarities to Mercer's death.

“It's scary. And it’s consistent,” he said.

“If you see something, just call the RCMP, call your mayor, call one of your councillors. But don't live in fear, take the safety measures you need to take in this day and age. because the world we lived in two years ago is not the world we live in today.”

Coombs said he has heard similar concerns from residents about crime in his community. He believes an influx of drugs could be a trigger and said it's up to communities to work with police and advocate for change.

“Are we going to fix it? That doesn't happen. But we have to try to get it under control,” he said.

“There is a covenant [and] There will be a provincial election at some point in the future and I would like to ask you to lobby each candidate and get more resources for our police force. They can’t keep up with everyday business.”

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