Achi news desk-
More Winnipeg business owners are increasing security amid an increase in break-ins.
Marcos Silva, manager of Winnipeg Shutters, told 680 CJOB’s The Jim Toth Show that he sees the change directly.
“We have noticed a very large increase since last year in quotations. Basically around 50 per cent more compared to what we used to quote last year,” he said.
“I think everyone is trying to find a solution for what’s happening in the city right now.”
Silva says for some people shutters are about having a visual distraction, while for others, it’s more of a necessity.
“Over 80 percent of the time they call us because they had a break-in the day before,” he said, adding that the business has even started getting calls from people wanting to put shutters on their homes.
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“One woman wanted to completely cover everything – the windows, the doors. Then at night he would shut everything down and go to sleep in peace. Unfortunately, that’s what’s happening these days,” he said.
Silva said the shutters have three levels of security, including a heavy bottom bar and an anchor lock. They range from about $3,000 to $6,000 in price depending on size and strength, he said.
Winnipeg police have been cracking down on crime in the city with the Retail Theft Initiative, which has seen hundreds of arrests since its launch in November 2023.
The program was launched after nearly 4,000 cases of shoplifting for items under $5,000 occurred between January and August 2023, officials said. It represented an increase of 44 per cent over the same period in 2022.
“We’ll be out there. I won’t say when and I’m not going to say where, (but) if you’re going to shoplift, we’re going to be there,” said the Inspector. Jennifer McKinnon.
– with file by Talha Hashmani
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
