The challenges facing small businesses in Manitoba, especially in inner-city neighborhoods like ours, continue to grow. A recent article from CBC News sheds light on the troubling rise in theft, vandalism, and property crime affecting local entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, for many of our members in the Sargent Business Community, these issues are not new.
At SBC, we hear firsthand the stories of broken windows, repeated break-ins, and the emotional and financial toll this takes on business owners and staff. These incidents are not isolated, they represent a broader pattern that is putting immense pressure on small businesses trying to survive and serve their communities.
This is exactly why the Sargent Business Community organized the recent Small Business & Retail Crime Prevention Conference, to give a platform to those affected, to bring together stakeholders, and to begin working toward tangible solutions. The safety of our streets and the sustainability of our local economy are deeply connected. We believe that addressing crime is not only a policing issue, but a community issue that requires coordinated action, investment in prevention, and long-term support.
We encourage you to read the article and reflect on the urgent need for continued advocacy, collaboration, and meaningful change.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/crime-theft-vandalism-small-business-1.7523063