New Nightly Safety Patrols Launching in Downtown Duncan

DUNCAN, BC – The Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DDBIA) is pleased to announce the launch of the nightly Safety and Security Patrol program in partnership with Footprints Security. Beginning Friday, August 1, 2025, the patrol will operate seven nights a week from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., helping protect downtown businesses and enhance after-hours safety.

This initiative is supported by the City of Duncan and was developed in direct response to concerns raised by local businesses. Feedback from our members indicates that:

• 56% of members believe the reputation of downtown has declined,

• 1 in 3 have experienced broken windows or doors, and

• 40% say their staff feel unequipped to handle growing safety concerns.

  
  

Thanks to the DDBIA’s work to coordinate and negotiate a collective service, members can access Footprints patrol coverage at a significantly reduced cost. This cost-shared model allows participating businesses to receive direct benefits—including incident reporting and hazard response—while contributing to a broader safety net for the entire downtown.

“We know how much time, energy, and heart our members pour into their businesses,” says Thea Hitchcock, Executive Director of the DDBIA. “Being part of Downtown Duncan means more than just keeping the doors open; it’s about showing up for your customers, supporting your team, and being a cornerstone of the downtown Duncan business community. This patrol is a shared investment in that vision.”

The patrol officer will make regular foot and mobile rounds, check doors and entries, move along loiterers, respond to minor hazards, and report suspicious activity. Most importantly, their visible presence will send a clear message: Downtown Duncan takes safety seriously.

By participating in the program, businesses aren’t just protecting their storefronts; they’re helping shape a downtown that is welcoming, resilient, and vibrant for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.

For further information, please contact:

Thea Hitchcock, Executive Director, Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area hitchcock@downotownduncan.ca, 250-715-1700.

About the Downtown Duncan BIA: Established in 1997, the Downtown Duncan BIA (DDBIA) is a non-profit organization under the direction of an elected volunteer Board of Directors. The purpose of the Downtown Duncan BIA is to foster a unique, diverse, and vibrant downtown business community.