Useful suggestions for Business from RCMP

The RCMP is here to assist and help every member of the community. The RCMP often takes time to check in with various people in the community and offer support but the police can only facilitate so much.
Broken Window Theory: when there is a run-down building, graffiti, broken windows, etc that building and the area around it becomes a target. Hold your area and your businesses to a standard, address graffiti and broken windows, etc within 1 to 2 days.
 
Suggestions
 

• Create community- communicate with each other and the police.
• Take the time to make reports to the police. Share photos. The police need to know what is going on or they cannot help. If you are too busy to make the report when the incident happens, do it the next day or after you close. At this time you still need to call in to make a report but the RCMP is looking at an online reporting system.
• Cover external outlets or turn off the breaker when leaving work so people are not encouraged to charge electrical devices near our building.
• Put up ‘No Trespassing’, “No Loitering’, ‘No Smoking’ signs- these signs give police officers the grounds to remove people from your property and detain people if necessary, under the Trespassing Act.
• If you have alcoves on your property put up gates, chain link fences, ‘No Trespassing’ signs. If you find someone sleeping or loitering on your property ask them to leave, point them towards the Connect Warming Centre, if they refuse to leave call the police.
• Outside lighting.
• Keep refuse around your business down, don’t leave cardboard outside overnight.

 
Place security cameras in stores:

• When you have a picture of someone that has committed a crime it is a very useful tool as that picture is sent to every member of the detachment
• The camera should be pointed at the door coming in and out of our store at eye level. Not in the corner where a person’s face can be covered.
• Police cannot put up security cameras, violation of individual’s Charter of Rights but you can put up cameras on your private property
• Take control of your property. If someone is in your business and you would like them to leave. Ask them to leave. If they refuse, call the police, tell the police that you have asked the person to leave and they are refusing, being aggressive, etc. Explain it to the person on the other end of the phone so they understand the situation. “I am on the phone with the police, please leave”.
• Call a store nearby that can come and help.
• Graffiti- take a picture and make a report. The RCMP uses graffiti experts to track and catch people on multiple charges. Document the graffiti and Remove it ASAP!
• Share photos of shoplifters with each other.
• When you walk to your car don’t walk like a victim. Walk with straight posture and make eye contact with people around you. Pay attention to your surroundings. Have someone on the phone with you. If you feel unsafe go back to a public space. If someone is walking up to you, make direct eye contact and say ‘Hi’.

 
If all of the businesses are consistent and do the same thing this creates continuity and a community standard, over time people will get the message that they cannot act that way.
 
Questions
 
RE: centralization of services downtown- Can we spread these services out?

• •A lot of the services are located in and around Downtown Courtenay. Services need to be in places where people can access them. Since the Connect Warming Centre has opened there has been a 50% drop in the number of calls of service to the Library. The Warming Centre is looking for funding to lengthen the hours and extend services, which could reduce this number further.

 
If there is a shoplifter in my store what can I do?

• •If you recognize them as someone you do not want in your store ask them to leave.
• •f you know someone is intoxicated, has stolen before you can ask them to leave. The only things you cannot ask a person to leave for are things such as race, sex, etc that violate the Human Charter of Rights.
• Be polite.
• If they don’t leave call the police and give a description of them.
• Once the person has been asked to leave and they refuse, this becomes a step up for the call centre.
• “You are making me uncomfortable, please leave. I am calling the police.”
• Take a picture with your phone.

 
What is the appropriate response to yelling and screaming?

• This person may be having challenges with their mental health, as individuals go off of their medication there are many symptoms that can come up. This is not a criminal offense and the police have a limited scope under the Mental Health Act in B.C. In this case we want to get people to the appropriate resources and supports, this may involve calling the police or another organization that offers services to individuals.
• If the person is aggressive or you know the person and they are acting out of their normal scope of behaviour call the police- trust your instincts.
• If you see patterns of behaviour ie. drug deals, specific locations- record license plates, bike colour, etc.  and report it to the police
• If they are intoxicated this is arrestable

 
What do I do if I find needles?

• If the needles are on City property- sweep the needles into one area and call the City.
• VIHA has guidelines for the safe disposal of needles

Warming Centre
 
The Warming Centre is open Monday to Friday, 1 to 5 pm. Funding ends March 31st, the Warming Centre is hoping to extend their hours and stay open throughout the summer months. If you think the Warming Centre has benefited Downtown Courtenay and your business you can send letters or emails of support to Mayor and Council.
 
If any members have any general questions/concerns about the Warming Centre please contact Andrea at 250-897-6432 (mobile phone) or email her at comoxvalleyhousing@gmail.com.
 
If you see specific behaviours outside of the Warming Centre that are not appropriate (cursing, littering, loitering, panhandling, etc) please contact Danielle at 250-650-0622 or outreach@cvts.ca. Danielle is the Manager at Connect and can immediately address any concerns that pop up.
 
If you feel unsafe or need to report a crime call the RCMP.