Businesses in Whitehorse can soon apply for programming to help prevent crime on their property — something that business owners say they need help with.
It’s called the subsidized crime prevention program and it’s set to open mid-January.
Businesses in Whitehorse will be able to apply for a safety and conflict resolution training for staff, a security checklist and a location security assessment, that includes layout and design advice to help prevent crime.
The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce is running the pilot program on a first-come, first-served basis.
The chamber’s chair, Marcos Castillo, said the three programming options were selected for their immediacy. He said that the chamber was just approved for funding and wanted to roll something out before the fiscal year-end.
“The logic was, ‘what’s the easiest way to start helping, like, right now?'” Castillo said.
The Yukon government is providing $100,000 until the end of March for the program. After that, funding could be extended through the three-year crime prevention grant, according to a government press release. The Yukon government says it’s also considering future subsidies that would pay for businesses to buy security equipment.
Businesses shouldering burden of frequent property crime
Some Whitehorse business owners are already spending time and money on security measures.
Donna Reimchen installed window bars at the North End Gallery in November, after two break-ins cost her business $15,000. The window bars cost $9,000.
“I know the governments are talking about potentially funding things — like actual hardware to stop after-hours issues — but I have no idea how long that will take, and I don’t want any more 4 a.m. phone calls,” Reimchen said.
Donna Reimchen, owner of the North End Gallery, says she would consider safety training for her staff. Safety and cost has been front of mind since the business dealt with two break-ins this year. (Gabrielle Plonka/CBC)
Reimchen said she’s happy to see some help on the way and said she would consider the safety training for her staff.
The owner of The Mini Makerspace, Alannah Pumphrey, agrees that businesses need help.
Alannah Pumphrey reads a recent subsidy announcement for businesses in Whitehorse at her store, The Mini Makerspace, in Whitehorse on Dec. 23. (Gabrielle Plonka/CBC)
She already removes the till at closing time and regularly drives by her storefront at night to check in. Multiple stores surrounding her in Horwoods Mall have been broken into this year.
“It’s terrifying, because it’s so close,” Pumphrey said.
She says tightening security is stressful and adds to the number of tasks small business owners have to tackle every day.
“Even though I think it’s awesome, it’s another one of those things where I’m like, ‘where do I find the time to apply for this? How do I get the information?'” Pumphrey said.
Root causes of crime need to be addressed too
Reimchen says there are root issues that ultimately need to be addressed.
“It’s that dichotomy: As a human, you have compassion for the people who are caught up in the issues and the addictions and personal crises that make them vulnerable and act in these ways,” Reimchen said. “But as business owners, we’re tired of being victims of crime.”
Castillo, the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce chair, says they want to “alleviate a little bit of what’s happening,” but this program isn’t intended to solve every problem.
Luke Pantin with the Yukon Chamber of Commerce hopes the Yukon government is also considering holistic solutions on top of support for businesses.
Pantin pointed to poverty, mental health and substance use issues in the territory influencing the rising crime rates. He said he would like to see improved youth outreach like violence interruption initiatives and early intervention programs; as well as improved education opportunities in the communities.
“This is just one approach and we may also be tackling a number of the root issues – but not with the same fierceness and forcefulness that’s required,” Pantin said.
Castillo says application details for the subsidy will be posted to the chamber’s Facebook page soon.