Boarded-up business windows are becoming an unfortunately familiar site in Nanaimo's downtown following recent overnight vandalism sprees. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

enough is enough

‘It’s just really tough:’ downtown business owners seeking solutions to vandalism sprees

Apr 15, 2023 | 8:08 AM

NANAIMO — Downtown business owners are once again cleaning up after more vandalism, break-and-enters, and theft this week.

A number of local businesses, including That 50’s Barber Shop, The Vault Cafe, and NYLA Fresh Thread, all had front windows smashed during overnight vandalism sprees, with thieves also making off with stolen items.

At least one of those suspects was arrested shortly after breaking the entry door window and stealing clothes from NYLA Fresh Threads on Commercial St.

“All these small businesses getting hit, it’s such a tough one because it’s like, coming up with that money for the deductible if you have insurance, that’s a lot of money for a small business, right? It’s just really tough” Dave Lawrence, owner of That 50’s Barbershop said.

Lawrence thanked his neighbours for quickly responding.

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“It was so upsetting to see this happen, but the fact that I had these guys come and board up the window for me, I have my radio friends come and help clean up the shop so I could open the next day, that’s awesome. All the businesses are trying to help each other.”

He said someone from the restaurant next door was able to take pictures of the suspect and phone police, who arrested the suspect a short time later.

Security cameras inside Lawrence’s shop captured the entire incident.

“They asked if I wanted to press charges and I said for sure, but I mean, realistically, will he show up to court in June or July or whenever it is? Doubtful. So he’s back out on the street now.”

Lawrence was told Friday the person responsible is planning to pay for the damage next week, however whether it actually happens remains to be seen.

Most business owners who spoke with NanaimoNewsNOW were beyond frustrated and are actively looking for solutions, with most acknowledging the deep-rooted issues with a lot of the vandals won’t be solved overnight with more enforcement.

Possible ideas include more active and visible patrols, or installing sliding steel gates across storefronts.

The Vault had a point-of-sale machine stolen from their most recent encounter with crime overnight Thursday, one of roughly half a dozen in the last few weeks.

Taking a break from the ongoing Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities conference on Commercial St., city councillor HIlary Eastmure spoke with owners of the popular coffee shop and live music venue.

“It’s just brutal and she (the owner) was saying today she was planning to sit down and apply for the granting that the City has available for downtown business owners who are affected by vandalism or window breaks, and she didn’t even have a chance to do that this morning, because yet again, another pane of glass is broken and someone has broken in and taken some items.”

The City of Nanaimo approved a $50,000 grant for downtown graffiti and vandalism recovery in October of last year and covers a maximum of $1,000 per incident, which businesses can apply for twice a year.

“But that’s obviously insufficient when it’s happening so frequently,” said Eastmure. “We’re trying to figure out how we can make that an equitable situation for business owners who may have glass breakage insurance coverage, and those who may not.”

She said she’s heard from business owners who are trying to figure out where to best put their energy for advocacy to try and improve the situation.

While emailing concerns to the Mayor and Council is one way, she said submitting yourself as a delegation at a Council meeting is a great way to get your voice heard.

“We’re struggling as a city to figure out what tools we have, and we had the public safety minister and the Premier come to town and announced, not much honestly. They’re providing $75,000 to support a potential expansion of our downtown safety community action plan, but that was $2.5 million for one year, so I’m really not sure how far $75,000 is going to go with that.”

The provincial delegation was in town on Wednesday afternoon, and at least two more windows at downtown businesses were smashed the same night.

A sign outside The Vault Cafe Friday afternoon after they were once again hit with vandalism. This time, thieves made off with their eletronic payment machine, so they are cash-only until they are able to replace it. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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