Funding still available for downtown businesses

July 29, 2010

(Red Deer, Alberta) – Downtown business owners are encouraged to apply for funding from The City of Red Deer’s Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Pilot Project. With this crime prevention incentive program, The City will pay half of the expenses (before GST) for any successful applicant’s crime prevention upgrades to a maximum of $2,500.

Downtown businesses and agencies that make crime prevention upgrades that follow CPTED principles can apply to The City for funding. The applicant will receive funding after the project is complete and a bill or invoice has been received and verified by The City of Red Deer.

“So far we have had eight applications that have received funding, ranging from smaller projects through to larger renovations,” said Dean Scott, Crime Prevention Coordinator with The City of Red Deer. “The principles of CPTED are simple and proven effective in many situations and environments to identity and reduce problems that may invite crime. We want to encourage business owners to take advantage of this funding opportunity.”

In January 2008, Red Deer City Council approved $50,000 in funding for a crime prevention incentive program for downtown business owners. All downtown businesses and social agencies are eligible to apply, and the $2,500 cap ensures the incentive fund will be spread over a minimum of 20 businesses. Guidelines require the project meets one or more CPTED design principles. This program will run until the funds are exhausted.

For information on CPTED principles or the CPTED Pilot Program, please visit www.reddeer.ca/crimeprevention or contact the Crime Prevention Coordinator at 403-342-8387.

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For more information, please contact:

Dean Scott
Crime Prevention Coordinator
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8387