Alberta Small Businesses Fight Crime Surge

0:00More than half of Alberta's small business owners report crimes spiking around their stores, based on fresh data from the Canadian Federation of, independent business. They say theft, vandalism, and disorder are hitting hard, putting their incomes and personal safety on the line. Take Shemoon Jewelers in Northwest Calgary, where recent daytime break-in shook up co-owners Tamar and Haik. Theft has turned routine in their plaza, with robberies playing out right outside their door. The owners watch it all go down daily, from smashing grabs to the nearby liquor store, needing undercover guards to tackle repeat crooks. As sole providers for their young kids, their terrified one wrong move could wreck their family. Now they've beefed up defenses with a secure vestibule, buzzer entry, and ballards against ram raids. Business leaders point to bigger routes like mental health struggles and addictions, not just more cops. Groups like the Business Council of Alberta urge all levels of government to step up. Before these spots lose their spark and community slide.

1:02Further, that's the pulse on Alberta's retail front line right now. This has been Calgary News Today, powered by AI.