A slew of break-ins and thefts downtown Dartmouth has business owners frustrated and searching for answers. Humble Pie Kitchen was one of those targeted and left on the hook for repairs and lost money. “Two guys had come and kicked in the door and damaged the old frame of the Victorian home, unfortunately,” says co-owner Shauna MacLean. “The cash drawer was stolen with our small float and a couple of bottles of pop.” In response, the business has reinforced the door and added more security measures to try to prevent future issues. She estimates the smash-and-grab to be a $1,500 hit to her business’ bottom line. “It’s very disheartening and frustrating,” she says. “Of course, we all think of our own personal safety and the safety of our employees and just what a shock it is. “We’ve been here 12 years and never had anything like this happen before.” It was stories like Humble Pie’s and those of several other small businesses that caught the attention of neighbouring Battery Park Beer Bar & Eatery. Sure enough, overnight on Saturday they were hit, too. “Yeah, it’s frustrating because it kind of seemed like it was inevitable,” co-owner George Christakos tells CTV News. “Being sort of left with the feeling that it’s just a matter of time until they come after our spot is very unsettling.” The shared entrance to Battery Park and North Brewing Company was smashed. No cash was inside, but the damage and theft is proving costly. “The cost is going to be in the thousands of dollars to replace part of the door,” says Christakos, “and point-of-sale equipment isn’t cheap.” “It just seems people are at their wit’s end,” says Tim Rissesco, the CEO of the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission. Halifax police laid charges against a man, who is being held in custody for now, for break-and-enters connected to nine businesses. But regional police believe there are other suspects out there, too. Rissesco says a multi-pronged approach is needed – and is happy to hear the cops are stepping up patrols and assigning more officers in the area. “Policing, on one side of the equation,” he says. “But then the other side of the equation is, we need to address some of the underlying social issues that are causing people … to go out and do these kinds of property thefts.” MacLean saw surveillance footage from a neighbouring shop and doesn’t believe those responsible for the hit on her business are homeless. But regardless of who, “It’s not just the cost,” she says. “It’s an invasion of our home.” Local police are calling on the public to report any suspicious activity. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
