A new province-wide survey from the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia underscores the ongoing challenges that non-violent repeat offenses—such as theft, vandalism, and chronic disorder—pose for businesses both in Kamloops and across the province. The survey provides a clearer picture of the financial and operational pressures these persistent issues create for business owners.

Conducted in November 2025, the survey collected responses from 260 businesses across BC and found that nearly nine in ten report non-violent crime has had a moderate to very significant impact on their operations. Almost 40 percent of businesses said annual losses from theft, vandalism, or other repeat offenses exceeded $5,000. In some communities, the impacts are substantial: in Kamloops, losses linked to crime and vandalism exceeded one million dollars last year. Downtown Victoria reported a similar figure for graffiti removal, and downtown Prince George estimates more than $4.2 million in losses in 2025, including a single $2-million building.

Jeremy Heighton, President of BIABC and Executive Director of the Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association, says the survey confirms what local business owners have been experiencing for years. He explains that the goal was to gather data across the province to better understand the scale of the issue. He says, “What we found here in Kamloops is happening from corner to corner across BC. Almost 90% of businesses reported that non-violent repeat offenders are making a moderate to very significant impact on their operations.”

Heighton notes that while these offenses do not involve physical harm, the financial and psychological toll on businesses is significant. “There’s the cash drain, sure—over a million dollars here in Kamloops alone—but the greater challenge is the psychological aspect. Business owners don’t know what they’ll find when they open their doors. Customers feel unsafe. And that affects everything from buying habits to investment decisions in our downtowns.”

The survey also reveals that many businesses never report these crimes. Common reasons include slow police response times, low confidence in follow-up, and a belief that reporting will not lead to meaningful outcomes. Heighton says that while local law enforcement is doing what it can, systemic barriers limit their effectiveness. “Kamloops is fortunate to have RCMP Superintendent Jeff Pelley focused on this issue, and the municipality is working to give community services officers a more proactive role. But until prosecutorial guidelines change and repeat non-violent offenders are properly accounted for, most enforcement is hit-and-miss—catch and release, if you will.”

BIABC is calling for province-wide action. Recommendations include improved crime reporting systems, better coordination across the justice system, and programs targeting chronic non-violent offenders. Heighton says the data provides a strong foundation for advocacy. “It’s easy to get frustrated and walk away, but if you do that, you never affect change. Here in Kamloops, we’ve been raising these concerns for five years, and now the province is starting to hear it. We have to stay at this table, keep raising our voices, and advocate for safer, more vibrant communities.”

For businesses in Kamloops and across BC, the survey underscores a clear reality: non-violent crime is not minor. It is a persistent, costly challenge that affects both finances and the overall vitality of local communities.