Faced with crime, downtown Victoria business asks: 'Is it worth it?'

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Several businesses in downtown Victoria had their front windows smashed this past week in what Victoria police say are random acts of vandalism. No goods were stolen, but shops are left with the escalating costs of replacing the glass and the emotional toll of the deteriorating conditions.

After more than a half a century, one of downtown Victoria’s most durable businesses is wondering if it’s worth staying.

Police have identified a suspect and released an image from grainy surveillance footage, but hadn’t yet made an arrest. “Some businesses lose their insurance because it keeps happening, so they eat the [full] replacement cost or board it up until they sell enough to cover the costs.” Mirko Filipovic, who owns Themis Security and operates 24-hour patrols for business and property owner clients, said the number of calls for service has increased more than 20 per cent from the same period a year ago.

“VicPD might show up right away or later depending on the the priority of their calls, so it’s very frustrating for business or even strata owners where people live.”Premier David Eby in November announced a public safety plan for the province that included more mental-health response teams and an increased focus on repeat offenders.

 

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mattdellok is protecting Dave_Eby and the results of a surprise provincial election. I never thought I would say this but, we need to follow Horgan's lead and give the BCNDP distance. Time to plan a cabal.

Police now carry sheets of plywood and tools in the patrol car to repair smashed windows? It's that common. yyj

Not going to help that government workers will not be downtown anymore

Anyone know what mattdellok has to say about this? Maybe he can take off his rose-coloured glasses and actually do something concrete…for once!

There is a disconnect between businesses which provide taxes jobs gdp etc and municipal governments who are anti businesses and shoulder no responsibility in ensuring businesses viability

People still go downtown?

What's wrong with rehabilitation? Is this a case of the blind leading the sheep with current politicians? I mean shouldn't this be a top priority on their to do list? Businesses closing, means less revenue, right? This is not a mental illnes issue, this is a drug addiction issue

We need the Guardian Angels to take another look.

I think city councilors should each be challenged solo to visit a certain number of businesses downtown & speak to the owners. Or maybe they've already done that! 🤔

Crime you say? Maybe people are acting out because it's brutal!!!!! We need jobs, we need social programs. Can't support local stores when money goes to bills and basic living expenses. What is the government doing? More cops is not the answer.

Fuck8ng zombie apocalypse, ship them to an island and my the strongest survive, forced detox

We were parked near the Royal Theatre, two women, out for dinner & a show. Walking back at about 10pm was one of the most terrifying things. Addicts yelling at us, blocking our way, demanding money and cigs. I will never spend another eve downtown.

Really go figure 🤷🏽‍♂️.

It is a shame that one or two people cause so much stress.

The addiction epidemic exists solely by political design. Nothing worse for business than tent-cities bereft of crack, crystal meth and heroin.

Don’t worry it will get better as soon as we start giving addicts more free drugs! Isn’t that what the government is telling us?

The city should pay for private security services and have boots on the ground on literally every block of the downtown core 24/7. Recruit some of the former offenders themselves who have recovered and want to live and take life seriously and help those still in darkness.

What a shame for these businesses and our lovely downtown area. Have to lay blame squarely on the poor decisions of municipal politicians.

When you have a perfect storm of a non functioning justice system, societal decay and an increasingly feral segment of society, this is what you get.

Once you get into your sixties and you remember how wonderful downtown used to be when you were a kid, no, it's not worth going now.

savestadacona Screw business. Raise their taxes, eliminate their customer parking, enshrine “compassion” for the punks and addicts that literally smash their earnings.

A business on lower yates had vandals scale neighboring business roof so they could tag the building. Caused over $40k damage to the awning and it fell to the ground. CityOfVictoria was quick to demand immediate repairs. Who has that kind of available cash? insuranceclaim yyj

CLOCKWORK ORANGE IS HERE

We need policing I am not police driving around in the car looking at their iPads. We need three sets of two walking the downtown area looking to see what’s going on see who’s there etc. etc..

Unbelievable…..Is it that difficult to keep the Capital city safe and beautiful? or is it just a dirty politics

Forces of evil and darkness have enveloped the once loved CityOfVictoria city. It is a poster child of a radical left wing, copy cat ideology and inner city ruled by those who love lawlessness and immorality in the antichrist tradition. Legal drugs, free drugs and death abound

🚨 Victoria businesses protect yourself 🚨 Govt workers staying away Worsening street situation Invest in: Exterior security shutters Baby Shark on repeat Drip sprinklers Floodlights Cameras CityOfVictoria vicpdcanada victoriavisitor HelloBC myDVBA yyjpoli yyj

Interesting combo of downtown retail leaving while downtown residential is booming leading to an emerging market gap for new core-area residents to want the consumer opportunities that might have left for Langford.

Throw the shitheads and crackheads in jail and leave them there…

This happens when ideology is running ahead of pragmatic measures. Expect escalation.

We sold and left in 2021. We didn’t own a business but we no longer saw Victoria as a place we wanted to invest in or be from.

I like all the self defense studios opening up. Victorians kick ass!

Since the start of 2023 our downtown business has had to cover upwards of $5,000 in damages caused by vandalism. It's getting impossible to run a small business in downtown Victoria.

No, it simply isn't worth it. Like Vancouver, downtown Victoria has become a dangerous mess, probably made worse by the Liberal / NDP Soft on Crime policy. It will only worsen as the climate naturally changes.

we stopped visiting two years ago

Join in the fight against the lack of law enforcement. Insist the BC Commissioner prove his complaint department isn't a fraud. Make them prove Section 51 wasn't breached. Their refusal to release records is unacceptable. Without lawful police, the judges can't jail criminals.

Time for Snake Plimton

Spoiler: No it is not

It isn’t.

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