Results of the 2024 Impacts Survey show crime, financial losses, and the effectiveness of response services in addressing these issues as the major issues facing Kamloops area businesses. The three Business Improvement Associations and the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce had 201 businesses respond. North Shore BIA Executive Director Jeremy Heighton says our local businesses are the backbone of the Kamloops economy, and they need real solutions to the crime and social disruption that threaten their livelihoods.
“I mean, the costs continue to be high. The, you know, negative impacts on from a perception of safety continue to be high. It’s really a it’s a challenge we’re seeing across the province. I mean, we hopped on the back end of the SOS release earlier this week, I had a provincial board meeting today. I mean, the criminality, the cost related to criminality, is egregious in the province, and there is a catch and release system in play, whether you like that term or not. It’s true.”
Heighton says if you look at the first four years of the survey, businesses were asked for their losses between 2018 and 2022 and they were, high. “If I remember correctly, last year, losses were around $800,000. There was $1.5 million in losses this year. But there was a couple of big projects that were incorporated now this year where, you know, almost $2 million in losses. Now 50% of those related to crime and 50% of those are related to prevention costs, but it’s still $2 million out of 200 respondents in a community where they have told us, 66% have been victim of crime, vandalism or social disruption and not reported it in the last year.”
Impact on Business Operations
The survey highlights the significant impact of crime and social disruption on businesses, leading to a decline in consumer confidence and operational challenges. Key findings include:
- Increased Business Participation: 201 businesses participated in the survey, with the highest responses from areas experiencing elevated crime rates, including Downtown and North Kamloops. Businesses from a wide range of sectors, including Retail, Health Services, Professional Services, Restaurants, and Arts & Culture, were represented.
- Rising Crime and Its Impacts: For the third consecutive year, crime and social disruption have severely impacted consumer confidence and business operations. The top reported issues year over year including littering, open drug use, vandalism, and public defecation, remained unchanged. A new category-Fear/Stress-emerged as a top concern, ranking fifth in its impact on business owners and staff.
- Financial Losses Skyrocket: Businesses reported nearly $1 million in financial losses due to crime in 2024, up from $752,000 in 2023.
- Business Response and Prevention Costs: Despite a slight reduction in operational changes compared to previous years, 71% of businesses reported implementing new security measures in 2024. Total spending on crime prevention strategies reached $946,360.
- Concerns Over Response Services: Business owners expressed continued dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of response agencies, citing legal limitations and slow response times as major barriers. Questionable prosecution (65%), lack of issue resolution (59%), and delayed responses (51%) were identified as the top reasons for dissatisfaction.
The Fear Factor: A New Dimension of Concern
The survey also revealed a disturbing trend - fear and stress are becoming major factors impacting business owners and staff. “So the fear and the stress and the lack and stroll over safety issues are impacting their psychological health, in addition to their bottom lines. And this is why we need the involuntary care triggers this is why we need integrated access. This is why we need a system at the street level to help us get folks into care, get them off of our street corners and out of our buildings vestibules. We need the support of the province to move forward.”
The survey's findings paint a bleak picture for the future of Kamloops' business community. The rising crime rates, coupled with the growing fear and stress experienced by business owners and staff, could have a devastating impact on the local economy. The survey also underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to tackling these issues, one that involves government intervention and support for local businesses.
A Call for Action: Towards a Safer Future
The Business Improvement Associations and the Chamber of Commerce have called for immediate action from the government, outlining a four-pillar approach to address the root causes of crime and social disruption. These include:
- A four-pillar approach to healthcare,
- Mental health reforms at all levels of government,
- Criminal justice reforms, including changes to bail provisions.
The survey results have generated significant concern and debate within the Kamloops community. The issue of crime and social disruption is complex and requires a multifaceted approach. The business community is urging the government to take decisive action to address these concerns and ensure a safer and more prosperous future for Kamloops.
The Future of Kamloops: A Crossroads of Change
The future of Kamloops hinges on the ability of the government to address these critical issues. Failure to do so could have dire consequences for the city's economic and social fabric. The business community is calling for a collaborative approach that involves all stakeholders, including government, law enforcement, social service agencies, and the community at large. The success of these efforts will determine the future of Kamloops as a vibrant and thriving city.
