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Police encourage businesses to use their services

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  • Kayla Bell •
  • Originally published February 16, 2011 at 7:45 p.m., updated February 18, 2011 at 5 p.m.

  • CRIME PREVENTION UNITWHERE: Sears wing of Victoria Mall, 7800 N. Navarro St.

    HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

    CONTACT: 361-485-3808

    FOR MORE INFO: go to www.victoriatx.org/police and click on Crime Prevention

At the first luncheon of the year, members of Victoria's Chamber of Commerce learned how the Victoria Police Department can help their businesses.

Victoria Police Department Deputy Chief Roy Boyd was the guest speaker and encouraged business owners to utilize the department's Crime Prevention Unit to make the community a better place for business by reducing crime.

"It makes it some place that people want to come and visit, a place that people want to come stay, set up shop and brings in more money to you," he told the crowd.

Boyd said the department has already been successful at reducing crimes that particularly affect local businesses.

For example, burglaries were down 25 percent last year, and car burglaries at businesses on the north side of town have been nearly eliminated during big business rushes, Boyd said.

"Those things are down because we've partnered with the local businesses and we've developed a really, really good Crime Prevention Unit," he said.

Still, when Boyd asked the crowd how many had taken advantage of the unit's services, only a few raised their hands.

"We're not being utilized like we could be," said Sgt. Felix Appelt, who heads the Crime Prevention Unit in the Victoria Mall. "They don't see it as a business opportunity for them to take advantage of our free services."

The unit offers educational classes that can be tailored to a company's specific concerns, like scams or workplace violence. It also offers commercial security surveys and V.I.N. etching on cars, which could qualify companies for insurance discounts.

"You start talking about a fleet of vehicles, and that can add up," Appelt said.

More than a few times Boyd and Appelt reiterated that the services offered by the police department are free ways to minimize risk of loss and better Victoria's business environment as a whole.

"We're your public servants," Boyd said. "You're already paying for it with your tax dollars."

Corrected Feb. 18, 2011




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Comments

  • will will Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    More companies are using "loss prevention" and private contractors to protect them. My security sytem cost 250,000.00 and it deters
    theft both internally and externally. That could one reason why the statistics have changed.
    I am glad to see new blood that knows at least he is there to serve us and not his own public persona.

    February 17, 2011 at 10:05 a.m.
  • nothingsurprisesme nothingsurprisesme Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    @fatguy. I'm just saying is he does not have the respect from the troops. What I meant by quoting his last sentence is he will tell you (especially those affluent citizens) exactly what they want to hear, even if its not 100% accurate. I have a co-worker (well to do) who child ran away. Keep in mind that this runaway did so on her own as opposed to being kidnapped. Randy Boyd had extra resources out on this one kid. Now back when I had a scanner and could hear the police radio, kids runaway all the time. Especially those down on the south side. They (south side) not others get the attention that this little brat got. Just sayin.

    February 17, 2011 at 7:40 a.m.
  • N3225J N3225J Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    I still believer that a bank robbery took place one block from the police station in broad daylight has not ben solved. What service?

    February 17, 2011 at 3:55 a.m.
  • humbug humbug Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Who is Randy Boyd? The Deputy Chief for the Victoria Police Department is Roy Boyd.

    February 17, 2011 at 12:05 a.m.
  • fatguy fatguy Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    I don't get your point about Boyd's last sentence in the article. Seems like a 100% accurate statement to me. I'm glad he recognizes that his department exists to serve the public and is funded with tax dollars.

    February 16, 2011 at 9:04 p.m.
  • nothingsurprisesme nothingsurprisesme Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Great chance for businesses here. On a side note, VPD officers gringe that Boyd may be the next Chief. His last sentence says it all, We're your public servants," Boyd said. "You're already paying for it with your tax dollars." Yes man.

    February 16, 2011 at 8 p.m.