Looking for solutions to theft and shop lifting, vandalism, and panhandling and harassment of customers.
That was the focus of a business safety networking meeting that was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in Quesnel at the Legion Hall on Wednesday (July 31) night.
The floor was opened for potential solutions and some of the suggestions included things like having more cameras downtown and lobbying the crown for harsher sentences for prolific offenders.
Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, also Council’s liaison for the three business associations, thought the meeting was a good start.
“It wasn’t about finger pointing, it wasn’t about yelling and screaming at people that you’re not doing something. It was about here’s our concerns and the fact that we have a few suggestions that have come out of it, and a few action items that people are going to take, I think that makes it a good meeting.”
Roodenburg also talked about advocacy and how Council can use that tool to make requests to senior governments through organizations like the Union of BC Municipalities.
She even provided a potential solution to one of the problems.
“They were looking for suggestions right and the questions were about how do we move people out of businesses that are just hanging out and they’re kind of causing concern. Where can we move them to ? I mean it’s a loaded question right ? But I said what I’m hearing is you’re suggesting a drop-in centre where they can go and perhaps cool down on a hot day, or warm up on an extreme cold day, or charge their phone and grab a coffee. Does it makes sense to have one, it’s a conversation we can have.”
Mayor Ron Paull, Councillor Mitch Vik, MLA Coralee Oakes, and Conservative candidate Sheldon Claire were also in attendance.
Bylaw, the fire department and the RCMP were also represented.
Sergeant Richard Weseen encouraged businesses and the public in general to continue to call the police when there is a crime.
“Yes it’s very important for citizens and business owners if they see a crime in progress to phone the police. Without police attendance there is no way to hold the offenders accountable. It’s important for the safety and the reduced community harm to bring these people before the courts.”
Weseen said it could also impact how they police.
“When we look at the stats involved in certain crimes within the community, where the crimes are happening, time of day, what’s been stolen, all these things. We relay on analytical support to target high crimes areas to put more officers in the area to reduce crime.”
On the meeting itself, Weseen says it’s important to bring people together to understand everybody’s perspective so they can come up with a game plan on how to address these issues moving forward.
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