McPhillips Street businesses say break-ins are getting worse

Businesses on McPhillips Street are once again bringing attention to crime in the area. One business experienced five separate incidents, and they haven’t been in operation for even a year.

Cinnaholic on McPhillips had a break-in this weekend, that has left owner Menchie Finlay flustered.

“He used a crowbar in his left hand, and one with a glove, shattered the door just so he could come in, went into our office,” explained Finlay.

“I’m starting to feel like I don’t feel safe in this neighbourhood.”

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Businesses have been calling for increased police presence in the neighbourhood for months. Including Finlay’s shop – which turns one year old in May, and has had numerous incidents, including thieves walking in during business hours and stealing tip jars and tablets.

“I told my staff, don’t bother, your life is more important than those things, all you can do is take down all the information you can.”

Menchie Finlay (Photo Credit: Mike Albanese, CityNews)

Finlay is on the hook for repairs despite having insurance. It’s a similar story for Jonel De Leon at Cory’s Computing a few storefronts over.

“They broke the window and the door. A significant amount of money to get that all fixed up. Insurance won’t cover it,” said Jonel De Leon.

De Leon says they average at least one break-in per year. The most recent one involved a vehicle smashing into the front of his store. He installed a security gate to try and prevent it from happening.

“It didn’t do its job, there are still a lot of break-ins, and attempted break-ins.”

Jonel De Leon. (Photo Credit: Mike Albanese, CityNews)

Most recently, De Leon has installed rock glass as a new line of defense, and he’s advising his neighbours to shell out some cash and do the same. CityNews was directed to a Pita Pit – where the owner spoke off-camera about an incident just the other night.

“On his way out he grabbed our Uber tablet and made a dash for the door,” said the Pita Pit owner.

The store owner ran after the man, catching him in the parking lot. He says the man claimed to have been kicked out of his shelter for doing drugs and was just trying to find a way to get money. The owner brought him inside, made him food, and had him apologize to his staff.

“These people need a place to stay with unconditional love that supports them regardless of their bad habits.”

These businesses are calling on the city to increase the police footprint in the area, as well as provide more support to people, so they don’t need to resort to theft. In the meantime, Finlay is hoping the city can provide some financial assistance to install security measures in these often-targeted stores.