Do you ever feel like you need a safe space?

Starting in June, the Bainbridge Island Police Department will implement a Safe Space Program for victims of bias or hate crimes.

With the new public safety measure, victims will be able to go to a Safe Place after any such incident. Businesses will pledge to give shelter while victims call for help. Businesses will opt-in and display a window sticker identifying them as a Safe Space.

Business owners learned about that and more safety and security measures at a BI Chamber of Commerce workshop April 5. Police chief Joe Clark and community resource officer Zach Burnham gave the presentation at the BI Museum of Art auditorium.

They updated the community with tips based on the kinds of break-ins businesses have been subjected to recently and best practices to secure their locations.

Tips include: Always lock up, have loud alarms, use security cameras, have good lighting, minimize cash at your business, keep vegetation trimmed so officers can look inside your business, make eye contact with every customer, report even minor shoplifting, make sure to train your staff, and put stickers in your windows proclaiming your fight against crime.

Burnham is available to provide site inspections and personalized security tips for local businesses. Contact him at zburnham@bainbridgewa.gov or call 206-502-3172.