A church constructed a barrier to protects its congregation. A business put up a fence to deter illegal activity on its premises. And a local business owner quietly paid out nearly $50,000 to cover increased security costs over the last year to protect its staff and clients.
These are real examples of moves made to ensure public safety at these sites.
"Businesses want to protect their customers, employees, their incomes and themselves
," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "But we certainly don't want a shuttered and empty downtown, littered with barricades and fences. We want healthy and safe communities, where people can wander through vibrant shopping districts, to 'trip' over a fantastic product or service."
Maintaining a sense of safety is critical to any downtown. That sense of safety is best achieved when everyone puts that goal first and foremost.
"We need to focus on maintaining a vibrant downtown where everyone - with and without a home - can feel safe
," said Catherine. "We need an adequate supply of affordable housing, effective heath care, good policing and more - including stable tax-paying businesses to help pay for it all."