Jason Bell, the owner of a fast food restaurant in Kelowna, is just one of many business owners in the area who are frustrated with the increasing incidents of vandalism, loitering, and violence affecting their businesses. Recently, Bell shared a concerning incident where a transient individual was tampering with the restaurant’s electrical box and threatened one of his employees with a knife. This incident, along with other instances of break-ins, thefts, fires being started, and public mischief, has led Bell to hire security guards at different times of the day to ensure the safety of his staff and customers.
The situation in Kelowna has become so dire that property crime and public safety were the main concerns expressed by dozens of local businesses at a recent roundtable hosted by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Colleen Clark, the acting CEO of the chamber, emphasized the importance of not just identifying problems but also coming up with practical solutions. The concerns raised by businesses will help shape the organization’s policy and advocacy action plan during their upcoming policy development forum. This proactive approach aims to address the ongoing issues faced by businesses in Kelowna and provide a platform for businesses to voice their specific needs and concerns.
In order to address the pressing issues of public safety in Kelowna, the City of Kelowna has been advocating for more action from provincial leaders. At the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities conference, Mayor Tom Dyas, councillors, and city staff pressed for a stronger focus on repeat property offenders and other crime reduction measures. This aligns with the recommendations put forth by the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction. Despite these efforts, business owners like Bell feel that they are at a breaking point and are desperate for immediate action. Bell expressed concerns that some people may take matters into their own hands if the situation does not improve soon, leading to further escalation of issues.
The escalating incidents of vandalism, loitering, and violence in Kelowna are not only affecting businesses like Bell’s but also impacting the overall safety and well-being of the community. Bell recounted a terrifying situation where his staff were threatened by a group of people with a knife as they were closing the restaurant for the night. This, along with other disruptive behaviors like individuals standing on tables, throwing food, and urinating on chairs, has created a hostile environment for both staff and customers. The financial toll of dealing with these issues has led Bell to invest in new alarm systems, security companies, and the hiring of security guards, adding significant costs to his business operations.
As businesses in Kelowna continue to grapple with the challenges of maintaining safety and security, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is working on developing strategic policy and advocacy plans to address these issues. By actively engaging with local businesses and stakeholders, the chamber aims to identify practical solutions that can help improve public safety and reduce incidents of property crime. The collaboration between the chamber, the city, and provincial leaders demonstrates a collective effort to address the concerns raised by business owners and prioritize safety measures in the community. However, for business owners like Bell, the urgency of the situation demands immediate action to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
