The VPD Commercial Crime Quarterly |
VPD CRIME PREVENTION QUARTERLY – SPRING 2011
The VPD has issued the Commercial Crime Prevention Quarterly for spring 2011. The focus of this edition is fraud. – to tie in with March being fraud The publication can be found on VPD website at the following link:
http://vancouver.ca/police/community-policing/business-liaison.html
This first issue of the publication by Constable Anne Longley includes useful tips, information and trends to help you keep your business safe.
Articles include:
Debit Terminal Hard Drive Date Skimming
Understanding Vagrancy and Trespassing
Please find a copy of the issue below.
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| UBC Line Rapid Transit Study - Public Consultations |
| Translink invites all members of the public to attend Phase 2 of its public consultations concerning preliminary designs for alternative transit opportunities for the future UBC Line. For more information, including dates, times and locations, please see the PDF below. |
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City of Vancouver 3-1-1 Contact Centre |
3-1-1 is the telephone number to request information or services from the City of Vancouver. The Contact Centre is open 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., 7 days a week.
This can be used to request services such as graffiti on City property (light poles, traffic signs etc.), a traffic light out or sidewalks raised due to tree roots etc. as well as information requests.
Please see the PDF below for full details and contact information. |
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| Shoplifting Technique |
SHOPLIFTING TECHNIQUE PER WES FUNG AT VPD:
The cleancut suspect enters a store carrying what appears to be a full backpack to fool the staff into thinking the pack is so full there's no way this person would attempt to put anything else into it. In reality, the suspect has inserted a bag into the backpack to make it look full. This inner bag is lined with tin foil and the outer skin is duct taped. The suspect places the stolen items with security tags still in place into the backpack and walks out of the store without tripping the alarm. |
Burton Report - Crime Prevention for Small Business |
Recommended by the VPD, this report spotlights crimes against small businesses and offers tips about what to do to prevent them.
www.burtonreport.ca |
2011 VANCOUVER FAIR TAX UPDATE |
Tax Inequity Being Corrected
The Vancouver Fair Tax Coalition (VFTC) is continuing to correct the property tax inequity for business owners in Vancouver. This May, the VFTC is looking forward to Vancouver City Council making the final tax shift. Over the past six years, the VFTC has been active in ensuring commercial property business owners see more equity in property taxes. Since the coalition formed in 2005, more than $136 million in taxes has been shifted.
"There was recognition at City Hall that commercial property taxes were unsustainable and many small employers in Vancouver were being hammered by unfair taxes," said VFTC co-chair Ed des Roches. "At the same time the tax shift did not dramatically affect residential property owners because tax shifts are spread over a much, much larger number of properties."
"Our supporters, BIAs, the Vancouver Board of Trade, BOMA, NAOP, private companies and many other organizations realize their support in the VFTC is well placed," added des Roches.
The VFTC has made Vancouver a better place to live and do business. We believe businesses help define and give character to Vancouver's neighbourhoods. The VFTC plans to keep working hard on behalf of the business community and the residents of Vancouver to lower commercial property taxes. What's next for the VFTC? More of the same, that's for sure! We'll continue to make sure small businesses are treated fairly.
Saluting Bob Laurie
After six years of tireless work and commitment, founding member Bob Laurie has decided to step down from his role as co-chair with the VFTC. On behalf of the business community, the VFTC executive salute Laurie for his dedication over the years. Rob Fitzgerald, a member of the executive, praised Laurie for his leadership and tireless spirit. "Bob Laurie was well-known for being the spokesperson for many of the VFTC campaigns, but he did so much more behind the scenes with city staff and the provincial government. He was a fearless advocate for the contribution small businesses make to our community," said Fitzgerald.
This is an election year
On November 19, Vancouverites will go to the polls for a municipal election. While the VFTC is non-partisan, you can count on us to be heard in the 2011 campaign. Leading up to and during the election we will be making sure property taxes are on everyone's agenda. We'll also be keeping you up-to-date on candidates' positions on taxes and business.
We encourage everyone to vote in the next municipal election. Your voice can be heard!
Mark your calendar - November 19, 2011
Visit the VFTC website for up-to date information on municipal property taxes at www.fairtaxcoalition.com
Follow us on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/VanFairTax |
Seven Scams That Target Small Businesses |
Here are some tips and common scams to be aware of from the Better Business Bureau.
http://wynco.bbb.org/article/seven-scams-that-target-small-businesses-24853
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Distraction thefts in retail clothing stores - be aware! |
Constable Anne Longely, Community and Public Affairs with the VPD has advised that recently there have been a number of distraction thefts in retail clothing stores in the SW area of Vancouver, but this can happen in any type of retail outlet anywhere in the city.
The typical scenario goes like this:
Two people (often a man and a woman) enter the store together and one of them begins trying on clothes. The other one distracts an employee with questions and directs the employee to back of the store to show them merchandise. This is when a third person enters the store and steals large amounts of merchandise without being seen by the staff member and quickly exits the store. The employee often does not see the theft but hears sensors go off as the person leaves the store.
The latest theft occurred in the 2900 block of Granville Street on January 3rd around 4 pm with 2 women and 1 man as the suspects. They often target high end retailers and steal valuable items as they know what they’re looking for.
You can help prevent this sort of situation in the following ways:
- Have enough staff on hand to ensure one person is at the till and watching the door
- Greet each person as they come in so that they know they’ve been seen
- Ensure property is tagged with sensors
- Have video surveillance cameras installed and advertise the fact that you have cameras
- Be wary of groups of people or couples entering together who then split up. One will purposefully distract the employee with questions or lead them away from the others.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you are the victim of this sort of theft and stay on the phone giving descriptions of the suspects until police arrive. |
Weekly Crime Mapping Updates Are Available |
The link below will take you to the Vancouver Police Department Map page:
Crime Maps
All member businesses are encouraged to advise the MPBIA office if they are ever a victim of crime or if they would like to have a crime prevention assessment done of their business premises. |
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