The owners of Stereo Warehouse and Sisters' Sleep Gallery were threatened over the weekend by an unwanted customer (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

WEST VICTORIA STREET

‘We’re scared for our lives’: Owners of Stereo Warehouse calling for help as problems along West Victoria Street escalate

Dec 1, 2020 | 4:32 PM

KAMLOOPS — The problems along West Victoria Street have been chronicled by many businesses that feel unsafe.

This weekend took the fear to another level, as the owners of Stereo Warehouse and Sisters’ Sleep Gallery were threatened on Saturday by a patron they believe is from the Emerald Centre shelter.

“He was walked out, and as he was walking out he said ‘I’m going to slit your throat,’ so that was like a total shock,” noted co-owner of Stereo Warehouse and Sisters’ Sleep Gallery Mindy Sandhu.

Then on Sunday, Mindy and her sister and business partner Nina encountered the same man. The almost daily occurence has become detrimental to their safety and their business.

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“This is not a way to run a business. We’re scared. We’re scared for our lives, our safety,” said Sandhu. “We’re actually asking for help. I don’t know who’s going to be helping us.”

In both incidents, they called Kamloops RCMP, who took an hour and 45 minutes responding on Saturday after the man left the premises. They then arrested him Sunday.

“Our calls are all based upon priority, so initially when we attended there we were not there right away because the person had left after making the threats. We were dealing with files that are higher in priority,” noted Sgt. Darren Michels. “It’s been identified by some of the businesses that they’re having problems in the area and we’re working with those groups to try to come to a good resolution.”

Kamloops RCMP are forwarding charges to crown counsel for uttering threats.

Meantime, Kamloops city councillor Denis Walsh visited Stereo Warehouse on Tuesday. He believes the Emerald Centre should be moved away from West Victoria Street.

“I think there’s an overconcentration of affordable housing and people with challenging issues — mental illness,” he said. “The city needs to look at this and see how they can unravel this. I really believe the shelter should be moved as soon as possible because I don’t think it’s having a good influence on the housing that it’s next to and this entire area, including the retailers.”

Mindy and Nina hope that happens, so they can have some semblance of safety as they try to run their business and stay alive.

“We’ve just got to figure out a solution for it, so we can stay here in peace, safe so my kids know that I’m going to be coming home tonight,” said Sandhu.