(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CRIME INCREASE

Collaborative approach sought as Kamloops businesses report increased crime

Apr 26, 2022 | 4:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — A report released by Kamloops business associations paints a worsening picture of crime around the city. The survey was commissioned by the North Shore and downtown Kamloops business associations and the Chamber of Commerce.

Business owners are reporting increases in impacts of crime as well as social issues. Some say their day-to-day operations are being harmed and consumer confidence has been diminishing as they work to protect their stores and staff.

“I can razor wire, I can camera, I can do everything else — it doesn’t stop it or deter it. What it does is it deters customers from shopping, it puts a damper, I feel, on tourism,” said Carol Schweitzer, owner of Doctor Love and Shades of Green Cannabis.

“Littering, loitering, human defecation issues, all those kind of things we see across the city are things that are undermining people’s confidence in our business community. We quite often hear that business needs to step in more, needs to do more, and what this report clearly shows us is that’s not the case,” said Jeremy Heighton, North Shore Businesses Improvement Association.

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A reported 85 per cent of those surveyed stated that they have changed or implemented crime prevention and safety strategies with over $1.2 million spent by just 128 respondents to upgrade security with the installation of everything from cameras to bars — even razor wire.

“We have approximately 35 cameras around the building. The problem is even if we have the footage, nobody is going to do anything because it’s a crime under $5,000. It gives us a feeling of security but it really doesn’t effect the crime,” said Missagh Manshadi, owner of Manshadi Pharmacy in the North Shore.

“Businesses have been doing their part, they have been victimized, they’ve been incurring these losses, they’ve incurred theses costs to protect their business. They want to make sure everybody else is doing their part as well,” added Howie Reimer of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association.

The business associations are pleased with increased foot patrols by community service officers, but the long road to a solution will require help from all levels of government, not just individual owners.

“There is no recommendations at this point, this was the collection of data. We’re not really offering solutions, we’re offering next steps, at least we’re looking for next steps,” said Reimer.

“What we need to do is ensure that provincial and federal governments are also heavily involved in these files. It’s not about the political joy of the day, it’s about creating a community that we can all live in comfortably,” said Heighton.

A business-by-business approach isn’t the answer for Schweitzer; the community needs to come together before a step can be taken in the right direction.

“I don’t think there is an answer for us personally at our two locations, but I think compassion and resources could complement as we increase our security,” said Schweitzer.

There is no silver bullet solution for the issues. Business owners expect to deal with limited theft, and months with slow sales, but the social issues in the community present an entirely new problem, in need of new solutions.