Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1527945
12 THE ASSINIBOIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • FALL 2024 A S S I N I B O I A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E T here's no question about it: crime is on the rise in Winnipeg. According to the Winnipeg Police Service's annual statistical report on crime, violent crime offences increased 19 percent from 2021, while property crime rose 32 percent. Those numbers put Winnipeg in third place nationally for total crime severity behind only Lethbridge, Alberta, and Kelowna, British Columbia. Little wonder Winnipeggers – both members of the public and business owners – are on edge. And if you're a business owner, you can't help but wonder if your business is next on the hit list. Deryk Coward is a member of the board of directors for the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce and moderated a panel luncheon on safety in the business community for the Chamber this fall. He says crime is a very real concern. "It seems to be getting worse," says the longtime lawyer, a partner at Myers LLP. "For example, our law firm, which is on Graham Avenue, made the decision to lock the front door due to crime con- cerns. Our receptionist has to buzz ev- eryone in, which makes more work for the receptionist. It was a decision that wasn't made lightly." He adds that the crime is for real. "I've seen violent crime from my of- fice window seven floors up. Not long By Todd Lewys BUSINESS SECURITY & CRIME PREVENTION rising crime rates push business owners to take action innipeg's Deryk Coward, partner, Myers LLP and Board Member Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce. (Submitted Photo)