Businesses and Police Joining Forces

RELEASE FROM CITY OF PEORIA:

CITY ASSISTANCE TO FORM BUSINESS WATCH GROUPS

In response to the recent crimes against local businesses, the City of Peoria Police Department and Planning Department is offering assistance to local business to form Business Watch groups.

Modeled after Neighborhood Watch, the primary purpose of Business Watch is to improve safety and prevent and reduce crime in commercial districts. Business Watch is not a vigilante program, nor is it a program of business owners or employees on patrol. It is a program that encourages business owners to work together, watch out for each other’s businesses, employees and customers, and to call the police when something or someone seems suspicious.

The goals of Business Watch are to improve communications between business owners and the police; implement security measures to deter crime; offer education and information on crime prevention; and eliminate conditions that give rise to crime. Benefits to businesses include improved security for businesses and employees; increase in business because customers will feel safe to shop; and freedom to invest resources to marketing, sales, and capital improvements. Police services include training about shoplifting, armed robbery, vandalism, workplace violence, fraud and forgery, burglary, and a security survey.

Business Watch window signs and educational materials are available to businesses that organize a Business Watch. For more information, contact Officer John Williams at 494-8246. 

Business Watch applications can be downloaded from the City’s website: www.ci.peoria.il.us. Go to Government, H-Z Departments, Planning Department, Neighborhoods, Applications & Forms, or at Planning and Growth Management Department, Twin Towers Building, 456 Fulton St., Suite 402. For information call Steve Fairbanks at 494-8603.