Community police officers could soon be re-instated in Saint John pending a final vote from council. Its part the new multi-million dollar deal with the province to handoff recent budget cuts to front line services.

What used to be the office of a community police officer at Saint John’s Crescent Valley Resource Centre has been empty for almost three months.

"We have residents coming in almost every day looking for a police officer or wanting to speak with a community police officer, and when they're not here it’s left a gap,” says Anne Driscoll, Community Organizer at Cresecent Valley Resource Centre.

Driscoll says the officer helped reduce crime in Crescent Valley, while building relationships with residents, including newcomers.

"Especially the Syrian people, they came from like tragedy and war. They came with trauma, they don't trust the police, but with her she just changed the picture in their mind,” explains Admin Mansoor, Crescent Valley’s Community Engagement Coordinator.

Organizations in the five so called ‘vulnerable neighbourhoods’ in Saint John say they have noticed a difference since community policing was eliminated.

“We’ve seen issues with drugs, domestic violence and things of that nature,” says Barry Galloway, executive director of ‘ONE Change’ a group focused on improving Saint John's north end.

Community policing, along with street crime and traffic services were all included in budget cuts when Saint John cut a total of $2.5 million from police and fire departments. But with recent funding from the province, those services are now expected to be restored.

Community officers were reassigned to regular patrol duties on January 1st.

Saint John Police Association President Duane Squires was one of the reassigned officers, and is thrilled that his old position could soon be reinstated.

“From a firsthand experience, when I left uniform patrol I’ve still been receiving calls regularly from connections that I had made within the community,” says Squires.

Council is set to consider a revised operating budget, including an additional $1.1 million for police. A final vote will take place later this month.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mary Cranston.