The conference to prevent basic crime is aimed at reducing the theft in the west end of Winnipeg

Some entrepreneurs in the Sargent Avenue of Winnipeg have vandalism, shoplifting and the outbreaks they say in their shops in West End too often-and one has organized their own conference for crime prevention to solve the problem.

Michael Paille is the owner of Cobra Collectibles, a shop Sargent Avenue between the streets Furby and Langside, which is filled with comics, retro games and toys. He estimates that theft has doubled in his business in the past five years.

“You don't just come to steal small things. You will literally look at you and try to grab as much as possible and go out of the door,” said Paul.

“It happens everywhere and when it doesn't happen when you are open, try to break in.”

Paille said that he had installed more than 60 cameras in his shop, metal jalouses placed over the windows and set a security guard who works at the weekend, but these measures are not cheap.

“It costs a small company. This is mostly good.”

Paille said he worked with other companies in the region to tackle the problem, but decided that a little more had to be done.

He started his own conference called Retail Crime Prevention Conference, which is to take place on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the West End Cultural Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Every business owner is welcome,” he said. The conference will contain a whole day with seminars and discussions with a focus on crime prevention and strategies that are specially tailored for small companies, including information on security officers, alarm systems and other options for small companies to increase security.

In addition to Cobra Collectibles, there are X-Cues, a café and a lounge that has been in the neighborhood for almost 60 years. Owner Sal Infantino said he was planning to go to the conference on Monday because he has also been recorded in recent years to increase crime and vandalism.

“They caused thousands of dollars damage, and they have never taken more than a few hundred dollars from the few burglaries we had,” said Infantino.

“I would like to give [someone] $ 50 not to break my windows. “

He hopes that the conference will bring the community together to reduce crime in the region.

“We want to save this community because it is a great community. I am here all my life here and I have no plans to go somewhere else.”

In Infantino, the Winnipeg Police Service in the area during the holiday season said foot patrol officials in the area, it helped to contain part of the small crime in the area, but when the patrols stopped, the crime decreased again.

No silver bullet solution

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business will speak at the crime prevention conference. Tyler Slobogian, a high -ranking political analyst at the Advocacy Organization, said 52 percent of his approximately 4,500 members had direct experience with crime or security issues in the community last year, 10 percent compared to the previous year.

He said, although there is no silver ball to solve the crime, he plans to give some tips for small companies.

“A message we sent to [small business owners] All crimes have to be reported recently. Even if you don't believe that it could make a difference immediately, it could end up, “said Slobogian.

He said that CFIB members have spent an average of 5,000 US dollars for various security measures in the past three years.

Most of it was for preventive measures, “but that could also be to repair a broken window or repair measures,” he said.

Business Federation also encourages consumers to support local companies and take into account compassion and convenience when shopping.

In addition to the CFIB, the spokesman for Justice Minister Matt Wiebe, Crime Stopers, the Bear Clan Patrol and the Winnipeg Police Service are planned for the conference on Monday.

Winnipeg Police Const. Dani McKinnon said that reporting on crimes for the identification of problem areas in neighborhoods is of essential importance.

The police are based on these crime data to determine “action plans” and how they can best use their resources in daily operations and in special projects, said McKinnon in an e -mail.

Last week Gene Bowers, chief of police from Winnipeg, said that the service will add 12 feet to the city center by the financing of the provincial government by the end of June, which increases the total number of up to 36.