Kelowna businesses say downtown crime is reshaping retail

Some downtown Kelowna business owners say rising crime and street disorder have made security measures a normal part of staying open. The City of Kelowna says it has expanded its response with a new RCMP Downtown Community Liaison Officer, a CCTV registry, security rebates and more patrols. Officials say more than 50 cameras have been registered and 120 businesses have completed a free security audit. One downtown retailer, Todd Daniels of Gallery Street Clothing, said he spent thousands of dollars on shutters, locks and other protections after breakins and theft concerns. He said businesses now move merchandise away from windows at night, and he believes the downtown retail scene has changed, with more storefronts sitting empty.