Police and businesses to team up to deter crime

On Thursday, representatives from local businesses will meet with members of the Porterville Police Department crime prevention unit for a discussion regarding retail crime.

The meeting is a preliminary kick-off for the Porterville Business Watch program. It will take place at 9 a.m. in the Briefing Room at the police department, 350 N. D Street.

It is meant to establish a long-term relationship between the police department and local businesspeople, in an effort to raise awareness of and reduce incidences of retail crimes.

“We want to create a partnership between the retail community and police department,” said PPD Crime Prevention Officer Jodi Harper, who will be leading the meeting.

She expects between 50 and 75 people to attend the initial meeting, which will gauge community interest in different aspects of crime trends and prevention tips.

The group is expected to meet bi-monthly initially, and if there is a greater need, monthly.

Donnette Silva Carter, CEO of the Porterville Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is “100 percent behind” the program.

“We’re very excited about the fact they’re doing this, because it’s a great opportunity to bring businesses together and help each other with crime prevention,” she said.

Local businesswoman Pam Hughes, owner of Main Street retailer Country Pleasures, said she has been defending her wares against external theft for years.

“We’ve caught several shoplifters with our cameras,” she said. Hughes said she first installed a camera system about 10 years ago, and has caught a number of shoplifters since then.

In the hope that her system of informing other local retailers of suspicious activity will be formalized, Hughes plans to attend the Business Watch meeting

“We kind of help each other out, but we need to get more organized about calling each other when there’s a problem,” she said.

Some of the crime trends she has seen grow and wane over the years include forged checks, break-ins and shoplifting.

One important aspect of minimizing crime, Hughes said, is prosecuting shoplifters to set an example.

“I prosecute every single shoplifter I get,” she said. “I hope the other businesses do so too.”

Harper said she believes Hughes is right, and that letting thieves go without legal punishment encourages such actions.

“Prosecuting making people think a little more,” she said. “It puts that powerful message out there that we’re not going to tolerate shoplifting.”

Harper said she looks forward to hearing the needs and concerns of local businesspeople at the initial meeting.

For more information, call Jodi Harper, 782-7422.

--Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.