Kamloops resident Sue Strathern Adams took this photo of her car in the Valleyview neighbourhood after it was broken into last fall.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Sue Strathern Adams

In response to criminal activity stemming from the overdose crisis, some fed up residents are coming up with solutions to curb the property damage to their homes and businesses.

Kamloops resident Dennis Giesbrecht is proposing the community of Valleyview hire private security to keep an eye on businesses and homes at night, after seeing support for the idea on social media.

“The most common crimes are damaged businesses and a lot of stolen tools and bikes,” Giesbrecht said. “Fires have been started at the backs of buildings so people have to pull pallets in overnight. People are on edge. Three years ago this couldn’t be imagined but here we are today and we have to start somewhere.”

After talking to business owners and neighbourhood residents, and calling several security companies for information, Giesbrecht is forming a picture of what the project would look like. He also has more ideas of things everyone can do to increase safety in our communities.

“The idea is the security crew would do three passes during the night,” Giesbrecht said. “We have RCMP doing passes at night but they tend to cover the same main routes. A security company could take different routes, side routes and cover more area. It would add more time but they would be paid for it.”

Giesbrecht said interested business owners and homeowners would pay a monthly fee for the service.

“After crunching the numbers it is quite affordable,” he said. “But this wouldn’t mean security would just focus on those who are paying, they would keep their eyes open on the whole community.”

Giesbrecht said the RCMP is more reactive than proactive because they are overworked and not supported enough by the court system.

“People tell me they often don’t bother calling the cops after a crime has taken place,” he said. “Either RCMP won’t show up or the suspect will be put into the catch and release system. The statics the city and RCMP work off are not accurate. A private security team could take accurate notes to give us a more detailed picture over time.”

Not every security company is the same and Giesbrecht said it is important to him to find one that engages well with street entrenched people.

“You can get a private company that keeps information on the individuals and directs them toward shelters and facilities,” he said. “No one is out to destroy these people who need help. We have to keep it positive and bring up positive solutions.”

Giesbrecht moved to Kamloops almost two decades ago and is the president of the Dallas Community Association. He has seen the communities change and thinks more positive engagement among community groups is key to improving safety and reducing property damage.

“People used to look after each other more,” he said. “We need more block watches, more conversations with our neighbours and more interaction among community associations. Everyone can be the eyes on the street, even people like city bus drivers can report negative activities. I encourage everyone to join their neighbourhood association group and get involved.”

At this stage Giesbrecht is open to ideas and is hoping for more feedback from businesses and homeowners in the Valleyview neighbourhood.

Security companies have been contracted to patrol neighbourhoods like downtown, West Victoria and the Tranquille Corridor in order to address property crime concerns. It is much less common for security companies to be set up in a residential area. 

“Communities are always encouraged to take the crime prevention initiatives they feel are best,” Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Const. Crystal Evelyn said. “The RCMP will always be here to respond to calls for service, when needed and as needed, on a priority basis.”

You can message Giesbrecht through his Facebook page here.

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