Walnut Creek Police Department, Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, Walnut Creek Downtown Partner to Launch Business Watch, February 24, City Council Chamber
Kira Raman, Walnut Creek Police Department (WCPD) Crime Prevention Specialist, has been in the newly created professional staff civilian position for nine months and is already making strides in building and strengthening partnerships between WCPD and the Walnut Creek business community.
The Walnut Creek Police Department has established Business Watch, in partnership with the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Walnut Creek Downtown. Business Watch connects Walnut Creek businesses with WCPD, giving them real time access to WCPD and a direct and open line of communication with law enforcement to express concerns and questions about their businesses, neighboring businesses, crime trends, and other issues that affect their safety and the safety of their employees, customers, property, and the community.
The official launch of Walnut Creek Business Watch will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 9–10:30am, in the Walnut Creek City Council Chamber on the first floor of City Hall, 1666 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek — and all Walnut Creek businesses are invited to attend.
Crime Prevention Specialist Kira Raman will speak at the event to introduce Business Watch, and will be joined by Walnut Creek Police Chief Ryan Hibbs, Walnut Creek Downtown Executive Director Kathy Hemmenway, and Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau Vice President of Engagement Linda Vesneski.
Walnut Creek Police Chief Ryan Hibbs (front row, left), Crime Prevention Specialist Kira Raman (front row, third from left), and WCPD sworn personnel meet with local store managers and employees at their places of business to build relationships and open lines of communication. [Photo Walnut Creek Police Department]
Business Watch is designed to build strong partnerships between local businesses and WCPD and provide direct access to resources, including safety tips and crime prevention strategies, to foster a safer business environment. Business Watch will also offer quarterly Lunch & Learn training and discussion sessions, covering a variety of subjects such WCPD’s Homeless Outreach Program, how drones play a part in crime prevention, and tips from WCPD robbery detectives, among other topics.
“When our businesses are safe, our City is safer for everyone,” said Kira. “The thought is always Who to call, Why to call, and When to call. One of our Business Watch goals is to be that one point of contact between local businesses and WCPD – to have strong relationships with our businesses so we are better able to hear them and better able to serve them.”
As the Crime Prevention Specialist, Kira is part of the WCPD Professional Standards Unit and helps coordinate community outreach events, but her emphasis is crime prevention. For instance, part of her role is coordinating visits to businesses who ask for surveys of their properties, advice on safety measures, and on-site presentations to employees about safety and crime prevention.
“Everyone’s safety benefits from healthy partnerships within our City – the Downtown does, the Walnut Creek Chamber does, Shadelands and Countrywood and North Main districts do. All businesses, all properties, all commercial districts, and all community members. Business Watch was created to make sure that happens.”
To register for this free event, click here.
For questions or more information, contact Crime Prevention Specialist Kira Raman at [email protected].
