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Marysville, Tulalip Police

roll out new

Business Watch Program

To partner, unite businesses in ways to crime-proof their livelihood

MARYSVILLE – For more than two decades, Marysville Police’s Neighborhood Watch Program has
successfully helped residents keep watch for their neighbors in pursuit of reducing and preventing crime before it occurs.

What’s good for the neighborhood is good for business, too.

Marysville and Tulalip Police recently partnered to roll out a new Business Watch Program
aimed at working together with business owners to combat the types of property
crime that stifle commerce. Shoplifting alone costs retailers more than $13
billion annually.

Marysville Police Chief Rick Smith said the Business Watch Program is designed to empower
business owners to take control of what happens in their business community and
reduce their chances of becoming a victim.

“It is going to be imperative that we work together,” he said at the Greater
Marysville Tulalip Business Before Hours Breakfast at the Tulalip Resort on May
31. “These have been difficult times of uncertainty for businesses and the
economy. We want to help bring certainty back into your lives.”

Tulalip Deputy Chief Carlos Echevarria agrees. As the primary law enforcement agency
for Quil Ceda Village, an economic engine in the region with 150 retail stores
and 75,000 visitors daily, “I understand the importance of the Business Watch
Program to local business as well as the community as a whole.”

Marysville Police Lt. Mark Thomas coordinates the department’s Marysville Volunteer
Program and Neighborhood Watch, among other crime prevention duties, and adds
Business Watch to his program list. He will be assisted with Business Watch by
civilian coordinator Bob Rise.

Business watch provides a way to actively reduce and prevent crime through cooperation
and education, says Thomas. “It provides a platform to help teach merchants to
‘crime-proof’ their own properties, watch over their neighbors’ property, and
report and document suspicious behavior.”

Thomas says often it’s the simple day-to-day things with a shared, common goal in mind
that get results, like being vigilant or instituting changes inside and outside
the office that make it difficult for criminals to ply their trade.

The current trends and types of crimes that leave businesses victimized every day
include credit card fraud, scams, forgery, employee theft, shoplifting,
burglary, robbery, vehicle prowls, auto theft and vandalism.

While commitment is involved, starting a Business Watch includes a few easy steps:

       
.   Form a Planning Committee to discuss needs and list potential problems.

·   Involve police for useful information, crime statistics and analysis.

·   Conduct a business survey.

·   Plan a Business Watch kickoff in your business corridor.

·   Convene an initial meeting to identify members, name officers, gather contact
    information and discuss Business Watch signage.

·   Build momentum and keep the dialogue going.

Thomas says cooperation, education, communication and an understanding between law
enforcement and businesses are key to a successful program.

If you’re interested in starting a Business Watch group in the Marysville/Tulalip
business community, contact Lt. Mark Thomas at (360) 363-8321 or email mthomas@marysvillewa.gov, Bob Rise, Business Watch Coordinator at (360) 363-8325 or MVP@marysvillewa.gov, or Tulalip Deputy Chief Carlos Echevarria at (360) 716-4608 or email CEchevarria@TulalipTribalPolice.org.

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