Kelowna enterprise house owners are elevating alarms about ongoing crime within the metropolis, citing repeated break-ins, vandalism and public dysfunction they are saying are affecting their means to function safely.
“We’d like to have the ability to go house at night time and sleep and really feel comfy,” stated Todd Daniels, proprietor of Gallery Streetwear. “I don’t wish to must get up at 4 within the morning and are available again to this once more.”
Daniels posted a video to social media after his retailer was focused in a smash-and-grab final week, a submit that shortly gained traction and prompted a go to from Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas.
“What’s occurring downtown impacts all of us,” Daniels stated within the video.
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Dyas says issues raised by enterprise house owners are being taken significantly.
“It’s vital that companies know that we’re following this intently,” Dyas stated. “When conditions come up, I’m briefed on the conditions.”
Whereas current crime statistics in Kelowna counsel total crime is trending downward, enterprise house owners say these numbers don’t replicate what they’re experiencing on the bottom.
Throughout his go to, Dyas offered Daniels with data outlining steps town is taking to handle security issues, together with elevated foot patrols and direct engagement with companies.
“There shall be enhanced foot patrols with respect to our RCMP and bylaw,” Dyas stated. “There shall be enterprise walkthroughs and check-ins from a security standpoint to listen to straight from these companies.”
Town can also be planning a enterprise discussion board to permit house owners to voice issues and focus on potential options.
Daniels says he’s cautiously optimistic.
“That’s nice. I simply hope it’s a long-lasting factor and it’s not only a two-week factor to appease everybody,” he stated.
On the provincial stage, Kelowna-Centre BC Conservative MLA Kristina Loewen is criticizing the province’s just lately introduced pilot program, which targets 5 repeat offenders throughout a number of communities.
“I believe it’s an absolute waste of time and a joke to determine 5 folks after we’ve recognized 15 already,” Loewen stated. “If they really wish to do one thing worthwhile in Kelowna, determine 15 to 25 and let’s go.”
For now, enterprise house owners say they’ll be watching intently, hoping motion follows the phrases.
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