Purpose of Business Watch
- To prevent crime from taking place in and around our businesses.
- To increase communication and the sense of community between local business owners.
Business Watch is a crime prevention initiative endorsed by the RCMP, leveraging a network of business owners for streamlined community updates. This includes property crime, suspicious and criminal activities.
Why become a member?
There are many benefits for having your business participate in the Business Watch program. Members of the program will have access to Community Policing’s staff who are trained in the police reporting process, crime prevention education, and a network of other active business owners trying to make a change.
Are you ready?
- To be committed to deter crime in the area and surrounding businesses.
- To be a team player and communicate concerns with other businesses.
- To be committed to alerting other businesses of crime and theft quickly.
Do you own or manage a business?
Are you concerned with crime at your business or the surrounding area?
Would you like to help protect your own or other’s businesses?
Are you ready to become actively involved in reducing crime in the business community?
If so, we would like to have you as a Business Watch participant!
Why does it work?
Business Watch is an effective program because offenders look for easy targets to steal from or vandalize. A network that communicates efficiently makes it significantly harder for an individual to commit a crime or to repeat the same crime in the community. Business Watch combines an efficient network with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or CPTED principles. This combination makes our participating businesses a harder target and makes an offender more likely to be caught, which reduces attempted crime.
Business Watch is also supported by the RCMP and increases efficiency in contacting the Shawnigan Lake RCMP with concerns surrounding crime and mischief in the area.
Business Watch Application
This application form must be filled out to join the Business Watch program ran in collaboration with South Cowichan Community Policing & Engagement Society and the Shawnigan Lake RCMP. Upon joining Business Watch, you will be agreeing to:
- Receive updates on crime concerns in the Cowichan Valley and Shawnigan Lake areas and passing on concerns you have to Community Policing and the RCMP.
- Receive crime prevention material made for Business Watch from South Cowichan Community Policing & Engagement Society.
- Join a network of business owners with similar concerns and creating a sense of community between business owners.
- Be committed to reducing and preventing crime and crime opportunity in the business community and business.
Business Watch Crime Prevention Tips
Crime prevention is most effective when it is a community-wide effort. The more eyes and ears on our community, the less opportunity individuals have to commit crime.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
One of the main ways that businesses can protect themselves from crime is by using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design techniques. These techniques focus on making crime harder to commit which reduces the offenders chance of committing crime. Some CPTED tips to consider for your business are:
- Using Deadbolt locks on all doors
- Having a visible alarm system
- Have a CCTV or Security Camera system which is visible
- Leaving an interior light on at night
- Leaving an exterior on at night if possible
- Upkeep your business and remove graffiti
- Keep small amounts of cash in store and put up a sign stating so
- Put up mirrors in your business to see around corners or areas currently blocked by product
Need More Information?
Please stop by the South Cowichan Community Policing Office and ask about the new Business Watch Program.
Location:
2B Deloume Rd #845, Mill Bay, BC V0R 2P2
Office Contact Information:
250-929-7222 | sccp@shaw.ca
Hours of Operation:
Monday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Tuesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Business Watch Crime Prevention Tips
Proactive Crime Prevention Techniques
- Train staff on how tell if cash is counterfeit
- Give active customer service and check in on each customer periodically
- Ask customers to remove sunglasses and jacket hoods upon entry and to leave backpacks with customer service
