Timmins helping businesses make their properties less tempting to thieves and vandals
Jewelry store owner Linda Flondra says it's been 20 years since her store, Flondra's, was a target of crime. A break-in in May has her considering upgrading her shop's security features.
“We’re actually going to be putting in expandable gates in our back windows," said Flondra. "We already have it in our front door and we’re upgrading all of our cameras, indoor and outdoor."
The City of Timmins going to help cover the costs.
"The cost of security equipment is rising and people want to upgrade the systems, so the extra percentage from 50 to 75 per cent to a maximum of $5,000 helps a lot of the businesses," said Timmins Mayor George Pirie.
The percentage increase was passed at a council meeting in July after Downtown Timmins lobbied for the change.
Pirie said numerous businesses have applied and Downtown officials encourage others as well.
"Take advantage of it; please don’t be shy," said Cindy Campbell, executive director of Downtown Timmins Business Improvement Area.
"We know where security gates have helped businesses stay safe; we know lighting in the laneway helps people stay safe; we know that cameras help prevent crime and vandalism, so use those tools to your advantage.”
Marc Depatie, Timmins police communications co-ordinator, said since Jan. 1, officers have responded to 230 break-ins and that number has dropped by 140 compared to the same time period last year. He said so far, there were charges in 34 cases.
"Any dollars spent towards hardening the target, protecting the downtown, protecting businesses from becoming victims of break and enters or vandalism or other forms of petty crime is absolutely money well spent," said Depatie.
Through its Community Improvement Plan, the city also offers other grants to go to construction and facades, for example. But Campbell said many business owners have tight budgets right now due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
“It’s hard to put, you know, $100,000 into a facade improvement when you’re worried about someone breaking down the back door," she said.
"So right now, let’s do what we really need to do to ensure downtown grows and stays safe and vibrant and then we’ll pretty it up.”
There is no deadline to apply for a safety grant, and this opportunity is not just for downtown. The city of Timmins website has maps showing areas of eligibility, stretching from the Mattagami River bridge to the east end of the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.