Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1527945
FALL 2024 • THE ASSINIBOIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 13 · Open Year Round · 140 VLTs Daily 10 am - 1 am · Live Racing May to October · Lunch, Dinner & Drink Specials · Holiday Parties, Socials, Weddings · Facility Rentals, Corporate Events 3975 Portage Ave & Perimeter Hwy 204-885-3330 · ASDowns.com 140 VLTs Open 7 Days a Week from 10 am - 1 am Free Daily Games for Cash! 2024-chamber-west-winnipeg-review-fall September 5, 2024 11:19:33 AM ago, I was looking down at a surface parking lot and saw someone smash out a car window and take a backpack. It was a very trou- bling sight." As someone who's worked downtown since 1996 and been in- volved with the business community in west Winnipeg for some time, the trend is disconcerting. "From what I've seen, the biggest issue is mental health," says Coward. "In most cases, it's individuals. It's difficult to say wheth- er they're down on their luck, have a drug problem or personal issues that they're struggling with." The stark reality is that business owners are dealing with break- ins and theft on a scale that hasn't been seen before. Consequently, they're taking desperate measures to cope with the actions of desperate people. "West End business owners are saying that thefts and break-ins are up," he says. "I've seen more and more of them resort to steel shutters that roll down over top of windows to prevent break-ins through windows." Meanwhile, other business owners have been going a more high-tech route. "Some have been installing RockGlass to prevent break-ins," he says of the crystal-clear glass, which is about 200 times stronger than standard glass and can be installed over existing windows. "It's a major inconvenience for businesses to deal with insurance claims due to theft, so you do what you have to do to protect your business." Businesses are also doing other simple things to limit robberies, thefts and break-ins, notes Coward. "They're keeping valuables out of sight and limiting the amount of cash they keep on the premises. It's much the same thing that members of the public are advised to do, such as don't leave valu- ables in the open. It sounds simple, but it works." While crime is a definite issue, Coward likes what he's seeing downtown and in the west Winnipeg business community. "True North is changing the landscape of downtown for the better, and there's been increased community outreach, which has been more visible and seems to be helping," he says. "We're also seeing more people downtown, which is good, as there's strength in numbers. There are lots of positive things going on." Still, there's much headway that needs to be made. "The important thing is to address the root cause of the crime, so we have to look at long-term solutions like more mental health and addiction support, engaging our youth by giving them con- structive things to do, and getting communities involved in fight- ing crime." Coward has one last tip, this one aimed at businesses. "Tap into the knowledge of your insurance company. They don't want you to make a claim, so they will be happy to advise you on what you can to do to hopefully prevent thefts and break-ins." West End business owners are saying that thefts and break-ins are up. Deryk Coward Parter, Myers LLP (Adobe Stock Photo)