The Victoria Police Department wants to get ahead of crime by preventing it before it happens.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 why members of the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce gathered last Thursday evening to listen as officers explained steps they can take to protect their businesses.

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ItB次元官网网址檚 timely because of fraud prevention month, said Chris Edley, president of the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce.

B次元官网网址淏ut I know that a lot of local businesses have been hit up in one way or another by different types of credit card fraud, and thereB次元官网网址檚 been some small robberies and things like that,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淪o awareness of how to prevent that kind of thing and be on your toes is good practice and good business.B次元官网网址�

Chamber members learned everything from best practices for preventing crime to how to act during a robbery.

B次元官网网址淒o not try and be a hero,B次元官网网址� said VicPD Const. Kevin Lastiwka. B次元官网网址淏ut trust your instincts.B次元官网网址�

The Blockwatch program encourages communication between businesses. Report suspicious behaviour - B次元官网网址榖ut make sure youB次元官网网址檙e not identifying people for the wrong reasonsB次元官网网址� says chamber member

B次元官网网址� Nina Grossman (@NinaGrossman)

Here with to learn about fraud and crime prevention from

B次元官网网址� Nina Grossman (@NinaGrossman)

Chief Del Manak said the force aims to get ahead of crime, giving the community tips before they are victimized.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about talking to our business owners and giving them some tips on how they can make sure their businesses are run in a way that is going to be productive,B次元官网网址� he said.

Business owners were told to trust their gut and be aware of people who B次元官网网址榣ooked suspicious.B次元官网网址�

When asked if that type of language could promote profiling, Manak said B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 not stereotyping anyone who might be coming into your business, itB次元官网网址檚 providing good customer service.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of this is common sense principles of safety and prevention, like making sure youB次元官网网址檙e not counting cash or money in plain view [and] setting yourself up to be a victim,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淏ecause a lot of times when weB次元官网网址檙e conducting our day to day business, many people donB次元官网网址檛 pay attention to their actions and what theyB次元官网网址檙e doing and how they actually are operating unsafely.B次元官网网址�

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nina.grossman@blackpress.ca
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