Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce promises more support for business safety and security
CBC
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.
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.
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.
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.
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