RCMP community policing co-ordinator Kathryn Hennigar delivered her message of crime prevention to the perfect demographic Tuesday (Sept. 14) - business owners.
Hennigar was the Squamish Chamber of Commerce guest speaker at Chances Casino during the organization's first luncheon since the summer break.
Hennigar's message was simple: in a "perfect world," beat cops would pound the pavement every day but in reality, four RCMP members cover an area from Lions Bay to Daisy Lake Dam daily, so businesses should do all they can to protect themselves.
"We have to work on crime reduction together," she said.
Hennigar reported 26 credit card fraud complaints in 2009 compared to 17 so far this year; 33 counterfeit currency complaints in 2009 with 23 so far this year; and the most disturbing statistics involved downtown break-ins with 24 in 2009 compared to 21 so far in 2010.
But businesses can protect themselves and that's where the community policing office comes in, said Hennigar.
Six organization volunteers help local businesses fight crime before it occurs through such initiatives as the business link program, which includes newsletters delivered in person and electronically with "bad guy" alerts and tips of the week.
Hennigar said most of the year's downtown break ins were perpetrated by one "bad guy," who left town after a business link alert depicting his photo went out, she said.
When asked why he wasn't arrested, Hennigar said the suspect was still under investigation.
Since its inception in 2007, 250 businesses throughout Squamish have signed up to the business link program, said Hennigar.
The program's volunteers approach businesses to teach Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which amounts to advice for detecting and preventing fraud, theft and break-ins.
Hennigar said surveillance cameras are among the most effective deterrents, but even if an owner can't afford such an item, posting a sign that reads "Smile! You're on camera" is better than nothing at all.
The community can do one more thing to get better policing in town, she said. And it comes about after this year's District of Squamish budget deliberations saw residents vote for their top funding priorities.
"Trails were way up high and policing was way down low," said Hennigar.
That left police funding at a "bare minimum," she said.
"So speak to Muni Hall and say 'We want protection.'"
