Rhonda and David Lindsay, proprietors of the Train Station Pub in downtown Kelowna, B.C., have been grappling with escalating safety issues over their 14 years of ownership. David notes that prior years were relatively trouble-free, contrasting sharply with the current landscape marked by vandalism and public drug use. This increasing concern culminated in a recent alarming incident where a man hurled a glass bottle at the pub’s outdoor dining area, narrowly avoiding injury to patrons seated nearby. The emotional toll of such events has driven the couple to initiate an online petition, seeking provincial intervention to address the rising tide of crime affecting local businesses.
In a previous incident, a man with a known history of carrying weapons barricaded himself in a women’s washroom stall with another customer. The Lindsays experienced an agonizing seven-minute wait on hold while trying to reach the RCMP for help. In a desperate attempt to resolve the situation themselves, they resorted to using bug spray. This dire measure underscores the urgency of their plea for action, as they believe the province must step up to assist businesses facing rampant vandalism, shoplifting, and potential violence.
The petition emphasizes the plight of their staff, who are increasingly being forced into roles akin to crisis responders amidst unpredictable circumstances. “Our guests are exposed to unpredictable situations,” it states, highlighting the emotional strain and risk undertaken by employees and the business as a whole. David characterized their discussions with local authorities as yielding only “lip service,” expressing frustration that while city officials and the RCMP have limitations on their capabilities, the provincial government needs to take decisive action.
B.C.’s minister of state for community safety, Terry Yung, acknowledged the concerns voiced by local businesses. He reassured the community, stating his optimism to work closely with them, the mayor, and the RCMP to enact positive changes. However, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce expressed little surprise at the petition’s emergence, with CEO George Greenwood stressing the widespread concern among entrepreneurs regarding safety and operational viability amid persistent crime issues.
Greenwood noted that business owners are increasingly voicing their frustrations over property crime and a pervasive culture of shoplifting, which he described as epidemic. He pointed out that employees are feeling unsafe, and many businesses are left grappling with inadequate support. Although he commended city efforts, Greenwood remarked on the dire need for resources from higher levels of government, calling for more than just verbal commitments in response to tragic local events.
The potential consequences of continued inaction loom ominously, with Greenwood foreseeing a grim scenario where businesses may close if the climate does not improve. As companies face heightened security costs and difficulties in staffing amid a backdrop of increasing danger, Rhonda Lindsay voiced her fears that escalating desperation could provoke violent reactions from frustrated individuals, raising the specter of serious injury. This atmosphere of apprehensiveness further underscores the necessity for immediate and meaningful intervention from the province to ensure the safety and sustainability of local businesses.
