(image credit- CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

BUSINESS IMPACTS

Kamloops’ business improvement associations launch 2024 survey to measure impacts of crime

Aug 20, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The annual crime impacts to business survey was officially launched this week by the Kamloops businesses improvement associations.

Last year, 129 businesses responded, showing a $1.5 million price tag on security upgrades installed and more than $750,000 lost to theft in 2023.

This year’s survey will be open for submission until September 20, with any business — regardless of whether or not they are within a BIA in Kamloops or T’kemlups — able to provide much needed data.

“For data-driven advocacy — it’s enough to have anecdotal evidence and it’s enough to say we have a problem but when we can back it up with data, advocacy is that much more effective. And we have seen changes happen as a result,” outlined Kamloops Central BIA Executive Director Howie Reimer.

Question of the Week

Is returning to a balanced budget one of your BC election priorities?

22h ago

BC Votes

B.C. Election 2024: Where to go, how to register ahead of advance voting

Oct 07, 2024

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Sept. 30

Oct 05, 2024

The completed survey will be presented to the Kamloops provincial candidates ahead of the October election as well as local stakeholders.

A number of respondents in 2023 stated they no longer bother with calling the RCMP for every criminal issue at their stores. That under-reported figure is why the BIA survey is so important to provide a true picture of the issues plaguing Kamloops businesses.

“Are you reporting all crimes and if not, why not and how many times? Because if it’s not reported, it didn’t happen when it comes to statistics,” said Reimer. “As much as we appreciate the crime stats that come from different levels, this gives us a new level of the potential of what they might be. They might be far greater than we already anticipated.”

The 2024 impact survey form can be found here: https://nsbia.com/impacts-2024/