PGCC welcomes improved overnight patrols for downtown

PRINCE GEORGE – Following City Council’s move to improve downtown night patrols, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce (PGCC) has thrown its support behind this decision.

“We’re really happy to see that the city is working together with bylaw, firefighters, and then working with the Prince George RCMP for these enhanced over night patrols over the summer,” said PGCC Executive Director Neil Godbout.

Saying it’s both an air quality and safety issue, Godbout explained many businesses have been impacted by street fires. Whether it’s losing trucks, being forced to shut down due to hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, or long term damage like melted walls, Godbout says the move to improve overnight patrols should not only make Prince George safer, but also save money for both business owners and community members.

“This is also a huge issue for businesses when it comes to insurance claims because you file an insurance claim, you pay the deductible, guess what happens to your insurance? It goes up. So for a lot of these businesses, if the damage is minor, they just pay for it out of their own pocket,” Godbout said.