Abbotsford businesses join forces with local police to target shoplifters

An Abbotsford police vehicle is seen in this image from the department's Facebook page. (Credit: Facebook/AbbyPoliceDept)

Police in Abbotsford, B.C., are teaming up with local businesses for a project that aims to crack down on shoplifting in the city.

Dubbed Project Lighthouse, the initiative aims to deter potential offenders and create a safer shopping environment for business owners, their staff and customers, the Abbotsford Police Department said in a statement Friday.

The pilot project, led by the department’s Community Engagement Response Team, aims to strengthen relationships between shop owners and the police to encourage more reporting of incidents of theft.

According to the department, the city has witnessed a surge in shoplifting events, with police recording a 65-per-cent increase in shoplifting-related calls in the first half of this year.

Feedback received from the community has indicated that there are many other incidents that go unreported due to “time constraints and concerns about the justice process,” the statement said.

Businesses participating in the pilot will feature Project Lighthouse signage throughout their premises and at their entrances and exits. According to the department, the signs will send “a strong message that every theft will be reported to police.”

Registration is not currently open to businesses outside of the participating group while the project is underway, with updates regarding the project’s future expansion set to be shared “as the program develops,” police said.