Several downtown businesses in Prince George have relocated or closed due to ongoing crime and safety concerns

By Tommy Osborne

Downtown Crime

“We’re the ones that are paying the price”: downtown businesses continue to struggle with crime, safety concerns

Oct 1, 2024 | 5:06 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – New statistics from the Save our Streets organization says people and businesses continue to fall victim to an ongoing and worsening crime situation across the province. Among many other stats pulled, the survey revealed:

• 55% say crime has increased over the last four years
• 74% say crime impacts their quality of life
• 67% of businesses say shoplifting has increased
• 88% believe crime goes unreported in the province

“It’s just been growing and growing and we’re all getting quite fed up with it and the lack of movement on addressing some of these issues,” said Eoin Foley, a Prince George business owner and Save our Streets coalition member.

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“For us that are just trying to make a living, put food on the table, we’re the ones that are paying the price all the time,” he added.

Foley says he’s noticed several businesses leaving downtown because of these concerns, and adds if nothing is done this issue will only heighten.

“This is the reason why they’ve left. They’re fed up with dealing with those things. Their staff feels feels negatively impacted, feels unsafe. It makes it harder for for those businesses to retain staff, to attract customers.”

While the problem is well-known to business owners and community members alike, the lack of action has grown increasingly frustrating amid a situation many believe is getting worse. But what can be done to address this? Jess Ketchum, Save our Streets’ Co-founder, believes a huge issue is the “continual revolving door of repeat offenders.”

“People aren’t reporting crimes anymore, they feel that they’ve lost faith in the justice system. Fewer crimes are being reported because people don’t feel there’s any value in reporting,” Ketchum said when discussing repeat offenders.

The polls reflect this belief too, as 87% of respondents support harsher penalties. However, this isn’t the only thing that needs addressing, as both Foley and Ketchum said addressing the root causes of crime is equally, if not even more, important. However, Foley believes this too falls short.

“Not only are those underlying issues not being addressed, when they commit a blatant crime caught on camera, they’re frequently just let go by the justice system,” Foley said.

“We have not yet seen a full continuum of care from detox to treatment to recovery in a province wide basis that we need,” Ketchum said when speaking on addressing the opioid crisis.

With the provincial election only weeks away, it’s likely addressing both crimes and the drug crisis will remain top of mind for voters as they listen to see what solutions candidates offer.

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