Council's Response Committee visits local businesses

Earlier this week, Council’s Response Committee on Housing and Emergency Shelter, comprised of Councillor MacDougall, Councillor Klassen and Councillor Bolin, conducted a business walk to discuss the impacts of crime, shoplifting, and mischief on local businesses in our community.

During discussions with local businesses, the committee heard about businesses that have increased internal security measures have seen an exponential decrease in theft, crime, and mischief. Businesses that make it a practice to call and involve the RCMP have also seen a drastic drop in theft and shoplifting. Amanda’s No Frills shared the positive outcomes of their efforts with the Fort St. John RCMP, highlighting the improvements achieved over the past year.

“The safety of our residents and businesses is a top priority for Council as we work to draft bylaws that foster a stronger and safer community,” said Mayor Lilia Hansen.

The committee commends local businesses for their proactive measures in deterring theft and encourages all businesses to report incidents to the RCMP. Ensuring a safe environment for staff and customers remains essential to supporting our local businesses and community.

Council’s Response Committee continues to gather data to inform Council on the development of bylaws and strategies addressing housing, homelessness, and community safety.

About Council’s Response Committee on Housing and Emergency Shelter (CRCHES):
The City of Fort St. John recognizes the growing challenges associated with homelessness and its impacts on the unhoused population and the broader community. In response, Council established the Council’s Response Committee on Housing and Emergency Shelter (CRCHES) to assess these impacts, engage with stakeholders, and develop comprehensive solutions. The Committee aims to understand and address the effects of homelessness on the community, engage with community partners to gather diverse insights, and develop actionable strategies to enhance the well-being of all community members.