PORT COQUITLAM, BC – June 1, 2021…

Port Coquitlam released a free guide today to help local businesses prevent crime and improve safety.

The 32-page Crime Prevention Tips for Businesses is packed with resources and tips covering crime and safety issues faced by businesses, including shoplifting, break-ins and robberies, counterfeit money, trespassing, graffiti and more. The booklet will be delivered to businesses in hotspots but can also be picked up at the City’s Community Police Station (2581 Mary Hill Rd) or downloaded from portcoquitlam.ca/cp.

Produced in partnership with Coquitlam RCMP, the booklet is part of the City’s increased focus on community safety and supporting the local economy.

“Losses due to crime can be a major financial blow to businesses, and of course the safety of our business owners, staff and customers is paramount,” Mayor Brad West said. “On a broader level, businesses can play a significant role in preventing crime in our community. Providing them with these new tools – in partnership with the RCMP – will support business continuity and resilience, while also helping us deliver on our Council priority to enhance community safety.” 

The user-friendly booklet covers the following topics:

• Community Police Stations and crime prevention initiatives
• Using 9-1-1 and reporting crime
• Break-and-enters and shoplifting
• Robbery response
• Auto and bicycle crimes
• Fraud, including credit cards, cybercrime and counterfeit money
• Panhandling and trespassing
• Sharps and needle disposal
• Right to refuse service
• Dealing with graffiti

The new resource builds on recent City safety efforts that support businesses, such as a new registry for CCTV cameras to assist in criminal investigations, and additional bylaw enforcement resources and heightened community presence over the past year.

“As a city we’ve been working on initiatives to prevent crime and improve safety in our community, and we see our residents and businesses as partners in that work,” noted Cllr. Steve Darling, Council’s designate for safety matters. “We encourage our businesses to be proactive about preventing crime and make use of this new resource.”

The new booklet can be downloaded through portcoquitlam.ca/cp or the Business Safety page linked to portcoquitlam.ca/safety. The Business Safety page includes a variety of resources for businesses, including Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca