CrossRoads sale renews debate over crime and business confidence in downtown Prince George

However, Bird says the property’s sale arrives amid ongoing frustration among downtown businesses dealing with crime, vandalism and public safety issues.

She argues the sale is not an isolated incident, pointing to other businesses that have closed or relocated in recent months.

“I think it’s part of a larger trend,” Bird said. “There have been a couple of businesses that have closed downtown in the last six months due to activities, or there have been businesses that have moved.”

According to Bird, many downtown merchants support revitalization efforts and want to see the area succeed, but continue to face recurring challenges that make operating a business difficult.

“So it isn’t that the downtown community doesn’t want to see change and doesn’t want to see progression,” she said. “They are just continuously up against the same challenges.”

Bird also criticized what she describes as a lack of meaningful action from the province.

“Unfortunately, we have had a lack of clear direction or hope for business owners from the provincial government,” she said. “I know the provincial government has been working on trying to change bail reforms with their federal counterparts, but it’s not enough to impact decisions that are being made on the ground today.”

The MLA, who serves as her party’s critic for Community Safety and Integrated Services, says governments should examine how repeat offenders are handled within the justice system.

While acknowledging the difference between serious crimes and lower-level offences, Bird says persistent repeat offending can have major consequences for businesses that repeatedly experience break-ins, thefts and vandalism.

She suggested policymakers consider whether multiple property crime offences should carry greater consequences when viewed collectively.

Bird says concerns about public safety remain a frequent topic during her discussions with local business owners.

Just this week, she met with two businesses that she says have experienced significant financial losses due to a repeat offender.

“They have caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage and unrecoverable costs,” Bird said.

Business owners, she added, continue to ask how they can protect their employees, properties and livelihoods while serving customers downtown.

“I would say that’s accurate and it is actually a huge concern,” Bird said when asked whether businesses are being lost because public safety challenges are not being adequately addressed.

While the future of the former CrossRoads property remains uncertain, its sale has once again focused attention on the challenges facing downtown Prince George and the broader debate over how governments should respond to crime and support local businesses.

CKPG News reached out to CrossRoads for an interview regarding this story, but did not receive an answer by publication time.

by Greg Fry

CrossRoads sale renews debate over crime and business confidence in downtown Prince George

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