Survey says… downtown businesses support the city police storefront.
The North Bay Police Service has released results of a survey done with nearly 50 downtown businesses.
They say while businesses continue to face a variety of challenges, including aggressive behavour, loitering, vandalism or graffiti, and shoplifting, they’re also noting improvements with police visibility, communication with law enforcement and response times.
Officials say while over 55% of respondents reported no direct interaction with police staff, the majority recognized the storefront as a valuable resource contributing to a greater sense of safety in the downtown area.
They add 78% expressed support for the police storefront, with suggestions for further enhancement.
“We are encouraged by the overwhelming support from the downtown business community for our efforts and for keeping the storefront open,” says Chief Daryl Longworth. “These insights help us focus our strategies on making downtown North Bay a safer, more welcoming place for everyone. We continue to consult with the community as we set our priorities and determine the return on investments for the funding we receive. ”
47 businesses took part in the survey, which was conducted from Oct. 30 to Nov. 15.
