Re-opening and Amending Item MM14.16 - Summit to Solve the Epidemic of Criminal Break-and-Enters Against Small Business in the City of Toronto - by Councillor Mike Colle, seconded by Councillor Frances Nunziata

Taken on their own, these selfish crimes may seem petty, but they are happening at an alarming rate and have a devastating impact on small business owners who may not be able to afford security guards or sophisticated alarm systems. These break-ins cause a disproportionate impact on the cost of repairs, lost business and increased insurance to name a few. On February 7, 2024, Council passed my motion MM14.16 - Summit to Solve the Epidemic of Criminal Break-and-Enters Against Small Business in the City of Toronto. On March 1, 2024, I organized and hosted the Summit attended by Toronto Police Service, Toronto Association Business Improvement Areas, many Business Improvement Areas and small business along with retail industry associations and a payments provider. It is vital that the City of Toronto have a program to support small businesses to protect themselves and prevent these crimes. The City of Toronto's Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program provides grants for security related improvements. The Program is continuously oversubscribed. This motion should be deemed urgent due to the need for immediate action at all levels of government, and the need for a joint response to crack down on these crimes and educate small business owners on the best actions to prevent the devastating effects of these break-ins.

of the current Commercial Façade and the Commercial Rehabilitation Program and if any enhancements are warranted to enable the City to provide more support to commercial property owners and small business tenants of commercial property for the installation of security lighting, cameras and other security hardware related improvements such as shatterproof glass and higher quality locks. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, on behalf of Council write to the appropriate Ministries of the Provincial and Federal governments requesting funding support for a grant program to fund security upgrades for small business similar to the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program or the Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant program.