A Front Street business owner is sounding alarms about a lack of security on Front Street while it’s off-limits to traffic.
Pauly Benton, owner of Westley Military Surplus at 525 Front St., said his store’s windows have been smashed and suspects were arrested after thieves broke into his store on Feb. 10 and attempted to steal items.
“These kids were making trips back and forth across the street to a construction trailer,” he said. “They were hiding them under there and coming back to the store.”
Police retrieved the stolen merchandise, but Benton is frustrated that he’s been unable to get a list of the items – something he needs to file an insurance claim.
On Feb. 15, New Westminster city council asked staff to review crime prevention through environmental design initiatives that could be considered while construction is underway on Front Street. Council also asked staff to inquire whether the construction company working on the Front Street parkade and demolition project could expand its security plan to look after the area under the parkade.
Benton believes the city should hire security to patrol the area from dusk to dawn. When Anvil Centre was being constructed, he said a security guard was at the site whenever construction crews weren’t there, even though that construction site was located on fully-lit roads with traffic passing by day and night.
“Down here, the problem is when you shut Front Street down there is absolutely no vehicular traffic going by all day long,” he said. “Once it gets dark, there is no one down here, no cars are going by. This is why I am now being hit when I have never been hit before. This has been going on for over a month.
In addition to the broken windows on Feb. 8 and a breach of his premises and theft in the early morning hours of Feb. 9, Benton’s business later had another window smashed - three days after it had been repaired.
On Monday, New Westminster Police Deputy Chief Const. Dave Jansen updated council on activities taken since council asked staff to look into concerns about Front Street and security around the parkade during construction. He said two civilian staff compiled a “very extensive” report and the police department has developed a six-point plan to address security.
“It’s more eyes on the street down there,” he said of the plan.
Jansen said the police department’s operational support unit will be looking at criminal activities related to the area and police will be working with businesses where criminal activity has been reported, to help “target harden” them so they’re more secure.
“All our patrol watches have also been asked to increase their enforcement down there, to document that enforcement, whenever particular,” Jansen said. “Their main role is to respond to calls for service, but when they can, they’ll get out of their cars and walk around.”
In addition, the police department’s volunteer Crime Watch program and Citizen Crime Watch programs will also be advised to keep a closer eye on Front Street, and the department’s crime analysist will be providing a weekly update on statistics related to the area. The issue will also be discussed at the policing committee.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr, who raised the issue at council in February, said the city may have to spring for full-time security on the street at night during construction.
“I thought this construction company had a security guard for their equipment,” he told the Record Monday night. “They don’t and they have actually had equipment stolen. We are still working on that.”
Benton believes Front Street deserves the same type of security offered at Anvil Centre when it was under construction.
“Why was it fine to pay for that? Regardless of whether it was built into the contract, the city paid for that,” he said. “This has been going on for a month and a half. There is no traffic down here, yet they still have to consider that. How long do you have to consider this?”
