More than half of Alberta’s small business owners say crime around their storefronts is worsening, according to new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and many entrepreneurs warn that the situation threatens both their livelihoods and their sense of personal safety.
A recent break‑in at Shimoon Jewellers in northwest Calgary has left co‑owners Tamar and Haik Shimoon shaken, but not surprised. They say theft and disorder have become a routine part of running a business in their plaza.
Tamar describes watching robberies unfold just steps away.
“We see a lot of robbery happening right in front of our eyes… they will go in, take whatever, and run out the door,” she said.
Haik says the liquor store nearby is hit so often that undercover security has become standard.
“In the summer, it’s normal to see someone get tackled because they got hit so often,” he said.
Beyond the financial losses, the couple worries about the safety of their staff, customers, and young family.
“We are the sole providers of our very young kids, and if something happens to any of us… that would be devastating,” Tamar said.
The CFIB report argues that small business owners shouldn’t be forced to spend increasing amounts of time and money dealing with theft, vandalism, and safety risks.
The Business Council of Alberta agrees, saying the issue goes far deeper than policing alone. Adam Legge, the council’s president, says the province is dealing with entrenched social challenges.
“This is not a quick fix, we have systemic issues, we have people struggling with mental health, addictions,” he said.
A recent daytime robbery at Shimoon Jewellers, captured on video, pushed the owners to invest in new security measures. They’ve added a vestibule, a buzzer entry system, and plan to install bollards to prevent vehicle‑ramming attacks.
Legge says the business community needs support from all levels of government to prevent further decline.
“We hopefully encourage everybody to stick together but also encourage all three levels of government to take this more seriously… and make sure we don’t fall down this slippery slope and start to lose the vibrancy of our communities,” he said.