By Cheryl Jahn

Downtown Business Association wants action on crime

Sep 13, 2022 | 3:39 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – “Our businesses are just trying to stay afloat and keep themselves and their doors open.” That was Teri Smith, President of the Business Improvement Areas of BC, the organization that represents similar associations all across the province, including Downtown Prince George. It is also the organization that is challenging candidates in the civic election ” … to support core funding that will mitigate main street issues through increased policing resources, street lighting, sanitation, and anti-graffiti programs, as well as stronger bylaw enforcement.”

It’s a sentiment echoed locally.

“Essentially what we’re looking for is what we’ve been asking for some time,” says Eoin Foley, President of the Board for Downtown Prince George. “Some action. Some meaningful steps to address a lot of the issues we see, mostly in the downtown, it’s far-reaching throughout the whole community.”

And Downtown Prince George has the full support of the local Chamber of Commerce, which represents small businesses.

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“We are hearing, very loud and very clearly that this is an issue,” says Ray Noonan, President of the PG Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a major issue that businesses are facing. Especially in the downtown core. It’s not a Prince George. It’s not just a British Columbia problem. It’s a national problem and it’s an international problem. So to get everyone on board, everyone working in the same direction, it’s great to have the DBI Association of BC stand forward and bring it to our elected officials. Because that’s what we’ve been doing to the last several years as well.”

Downtown Prince George says it hears every day that small business owners fear for their safety, as do their clients. as far as Foley says, while many of the issues are not under the purview of local governments, everyone needs to step up.

“We do, absolutely need all levels of government working on this problem,” says Foley. “Essentially, all levels of government have been failing.”

But Ray Noonan is critical of that attitude, saying there is no point in “passing the buck.”

So both associations hope that, in October, the issues of crime and street disorder will be a deciding factor when you cast your ballot.