Round table event set to talk downtown crime with business owners

Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce will be having a round table meeting later this month for local business owners to talk about their concerns when it comes to criminal activity in the downtown core.

The meeting is in response to an increasing number of complaints from business owners about the rise in theft, vandalism, and aggressive behavior.

The Chamber is linking up with the County’s Economic Development, Enforcement Services and RCMP to host the meeting at McArthur Place on September 30 at 12:00pm. A free lunch will be available.

Manager of Enforcement Services, Chris Clark, acknowledges that this meeting will be beneficial for both the County and business owners.

“The purpose of the meeting is to basically talk about what the general concerns are but then also to advise the business owners about what our laws are that we have to follow, from a law enforcement perspective, and tell them what our bylaws are within the County,” said Clark.

It is meant to be an open discussion where business owners and the County can come together and figure out ways to better support each other when it comes to the criminal activity in the area.

There will also be some dialogue about the issue of homelessness in Lac La Biche.

“We want to make sure that business owners are calling us and reporting everything because people think if it’s something that is minor it isn’t going to be a top priority,” said Clark.

“The fact is the more complaints we have it better allows us to ensure that we are focusing on the correct things and the correct issues.” 

Clark believes that if business owners are looking to have positive change in Lac La Biche, it’s important for them to come to the meeting and use their voice.

“I would encourage people to attend because if they don’t attend then they don’t have a say at the table. This is a community consultation, and enforcement is working for the community and we are trying to drive the point home about how the community needs to work with law enforcement,” said Clark.

“Without community members at the table, and businesses at the table, it’s going to be extremely difficult for us to be able to accurately reflect what we need to do and what the actual issues are.”

There will only be 50 people allowed to attend the round table discussion because of COVID-19 regulations.