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Chamber wants to know the impact of crime

Cold Lake business owners are getting their chance to share how property crime has played a role in their lives.
The Cold Lake Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey about the impact of crime on its members.
The Cold Lake Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey about the impact of crime on its members.

Cold Lake business owners are getting their chance to share how property crime has played a role in their lives.

The Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce is reaching out to local businesses about crime in the area to find out more about how it's impacting their members.

Sherri Bohme, executive director of the chamber, said it is just one way of collecting data before their meeting with Cold Lake S/Sgt. Jeremie Landry.

“Some of our members have contacted us with regards to some of the property crimes that have been happening specifically to them and their businesses,” Bohme explained. “In order for our chamber to get a handle on everything that is going on out there, how many of our members are being affected, and what security measures they can possibly take, we thought a survey was the best way to collect that information. Then we have a good foundation so when we do meet with S/Sgt. Landry, we can have a discussion and find out what is going on.”

Whether the business has been targeted or not, the chamber wants to hear about it. The more information they have, Bohme said, the better.

“I think that one of these crimes is too many. At the end of the day, if it seems to be a perpetual thing and it's happening three or more times a week, whatever the case may be, we need to be able to have that data,” she added.

Their meeting with Landry is Dec. 11. The chamber plans on collecting survey responses right up until that day.

So far, about 20 per cent of their members have responded to the survey.

For Bohme, that is a clear indication that the issue is “first and foremost on people's minds right now.”

“Even those who are saying they haven't had property crime, they're afraid of it, and they have taken extra security measures because it seems to be rampant,” she said.

The survey includes a list of eight questions asking whether the business owner has been a victim of property crime, whether it was commercial or residential, when and where it happened, whether the incident was reported to the RCMP, and what security measures the business has taken to ensure it doesn't happen again.

“We tried to keep it very straight forward and something that can be clicked through so we can gather that data,” expressed Bohme.

It was after being approached by their members that the chamber decided to conduct the survey.

Bohme said, “The chamber exists as the voice of businesses. We build relationships with our local officials or the authorities. In order for us to be able to make head way and help our business community, we need their input.”

For more information, or to take part in the survey, visit the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce website.

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