TACOMA, Washington (CSU) – On Monday, the Tacoma Business Council (TBC) will host a virtual Q&A session with Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore.
Hundreds of Tacoma business owners have contacted out to join TBC, according to Kristen Wynne, the organization’s president. After a business summit in late January at the LeMay vehicle museum, the group was founded by various company owners.
“After hearing what the business owners had to say from all throughout Tacoma, we realised we needed to form an association to cooperate.” “(And) to provide a voice for companies in our neighbourhood to be able to address problems affecting the community’s economic stability that are being badly affected by crime,” said Kristina Maritczak, head of TBC’s Solution Committee. “Businesses had the impression that their voices were not being heard.”
“Any municipal government’s first priority is public safety. “If you can’t keep your folks secure, nothing else can happen,” Wynne remarked. “I suppose things got a bit lost along the road.”
Crime has climbed in Tacoma in recent years, according to statistics. There were 4,467 violent crimes registered in 2020, including more than 4,021 assault offences and 30 killings. There were 5,242 violent crimes registered in 2021, including 4,813 assault offences and 31 killings. Property crimes totaled 21,569 in 2020, with 134 arsons, 2,059 burglaries, and 8,638 thefts recorded. There were 25,534 violent crimes recorded in 2021, including 241 arsons, 2,270 burglaries, and 9,487 thefts.
“What I don’t believe people realise is that people are willing to leave (Tacoma),” Maritczak added. “It’s not simple to move a company…. To them, leaving a place they like comes with a significant expense and a significant risk. Consider what needs to be in place for this to happen.”
According to Maritczak, the organization’s ideas are continually developing as they engage with more company owners and community people. The Tacoma Police Department is involved in the most, if not all, of their current initiatives.
“I believe some of the ideas we’re presenting are around police assistance,” Maritczak added. “Funding the posts that are now unfilled in the police department is one of those alternatives. In addition, natural attribution must be taken into consideration.”
The group also supports increasing Tacoma’s crisis response team and involving the Tacoma Police Department more in response efforts.
“It’s beneficial if you can send out folks who are trained in dealing with those specific scenarios if they’re reacting to someone in an evident mental health crisis or a crisis connected to drug addiction.” But, of course, they’re backed up by TPD officers in a secondary role,” Wynne said, adding that she’d like to see more TPD-city-agency collaborations.
“We are proponents of a high-frequency, repeat offenders task force if there are known serial offenders of whom law enforcement is aware,” Maritczak added of potential TBC alternatives. We strongly support efforts to apprehend those responsible.”
Maritczak also believes in community policing, something Chief Moore has promoted since joining TPD in mid-January.
“It gives me hope that he’s interested in community policing.” That is a challenging task, but it is highly effective. “And a lot of police chiefs aren’t willing to do that,” she said.
On Monday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m., TBC will host a virtual town hall with Chief Moore. It will be broadcast live on the band’s YouTube account.
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