2026 Reality Check: Downtown Kelowna Businesses Are Still Getting Hit - Here’s the Smart Funding + Safety Plan Owners Are Using Now | BoostBC

2026 Reality Check: Downtown Kelowna Businesses Are Still Getting Hit - Here’s the Smart Funding + Safety Plan Owners Are Using Today.

Downtown Kelowna is one of the best places in B.C. to build a loyal customer base - until a smashed window, vandalism, or theft turns a normal week into repairs, staff stress, and lost revenue. If you’re running a small business downtown, the goal in 2026 isn’t “perfect security.” It’s reducing opportunity, reducing damage, and recovering fast - without draining your cash flow.

At BoostBC, we support Kelowna businesses with practical, modern setups: IT, operations, and the systems that help you stay open and resilient. Here’s the 2026 playbook, including what happened to the 2025 rebate program and what to use instead.

First: What happened to the Securing Small Business Rebate (the 2025 program)?

The Securing Small Business Rebate (SSBR) was a two-year program that helped eligible B.C. small businesses offset certain vandalism-related repairs and preventative upgrades. It took its last applications on January 31, 2025, and the application portal indicates the program is now closed.

If you’re seeing pages that still make it sound active, it’s because some listings haven’t been updated recently.

So what can a Kelowna business do in 2026?

There isn’t a direct, province-wide “vandalism rebate” replacement that we can point to today (based on what’s publicly available).

Instead, the best 2026 approach is a stack:

1. Local, on-the-ground safety supports downtown

2. Funding that still exists (especially lighting + controls rebates)

3. A storefront security plan based on proven prevention principles (CPTED)

4. Basic IT hardening so a break-in doesn’t turn into a bigger loss

Let’s break it down,

1) Use downtown supports that already exist (and actually show up)

If you operate downtown, the Downtown Kelowna Association (DKA) has on-street teams that focus on keeping the area safe, welcoming, and clean - Downtown On Call (DOC) and the Clean Team - available 7 days a week (with a dedicated phone line for DOC and 911 for emergencies).

The City of Kelowna has also described expanding partnerships through community patrol / on-call teams to support a safer environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Why this matters: visible presence + quicker response to non-emergency issues can reduce the “easy target” effect and improve how safe staff feel coming and going.

2) “Security funding” in 2026 often looks like lighting rebates

A lot of break-ins and vandalism are opportunity-driven. Better visibility and lighting doesn’t solve everything but it’s one of the highest-ROI deterrents because it supports natural surveillance (more on that below).

BC Hydro: Business Energy-Saving Incentives (BESI)

BC Hydro’s Business energy-saving incentives can help fund upgrades that reduce energy use (including lighting and controls). They’re currently offering a 30% bonus incentive on eligible projects submitted June 3, 2025 to February 12, 2026, with completion required by March 14, 2027.

FortisBC: Commercial lighting rebates

FortisBC offers commercial lighting rebates for upgrading to high-efficiency LED lighting, signage, and controls.

How to use these rebates for “security outcomes”:

• Bright, even exterior lighting (no dark pockets)

• Motion-activated lighting near back doors, alleys, and delivery areas

• Timers/controls so lighting is consistent and predictable after hours

• Upgraded signage lighting so your storefront looks active and cared for

3) Use CPTED: the proven blueprint behind safer storefronts

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a practical framework used widely in safety planning. Core CPTED principles include natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, maintenance, and activity support.

Here’s what CPTED looks like for a downtown storefront:

Natural surveillance (make it easy to see, hard to hide)

• Improve lighting around entrances and approaches

• Keep windows clear enough for visibility (avoid fully blocked interiors at night)

Access control (make entry harder and slower)

• Reinforce door frames/locks, secure rear entrances, manage keys/fobs

Territorial reinforcement + maintenance (signal “this place is watched”)

• Clean, maintained storefronts reduce “low-risk target” signals

• Visible cameras + clear signage (even before a crime happens)

4) Your “do this, this week” downtown checklist (fast, realistic, high impact)

Exterior

• Replace burnt-out lights immediately (same day if possible)

• Add motion lighting at rear/service doors

• Ensure camera views aren’t blocked by signage/decals

• Put your address and unit number clearly on the building (helps response times)

Interior

• Move high-theft items away from exits

• Keep cash handling out of sight

• Lock down back rooms and storage (even during open hours)

Procedures

• Create a one-page open/close checklist for staff

• Standardize what happens after an incident (photos, notes, report, vendor calls)

Basics police often recommend (good reminders) The RCMP has published practical prevention tips for business owners, including steps like lighting, cameras, alarms, and reducing visible valuables.

5) Don’t overlook IT: a break-in can become a data problem fast

Physical theft often includes:

• tablets, laptops, POS terminals

• routers/modems

• staff devices left charging near the counter

Minimum 2026 setup:

• Unique passwords (no shared logins)

• MFA on email, banking, and POS dashboards

• Offsite backups for key business files

• Guest Wi-Fi separated from business devices

This is where BoostBC can help quickly - without making it complicated.

What BoostBC can do for Kelowna businesses right now:

If you want a straightforward plan, we can help you:

• tighten Wi-Fi, devices, and access control

• set up camera + remote access the right way (placement, network, storage)

• create a simple incident + operations checklist your team actually follows

• improve local SEO so you stay visible even if foot traffic dips (Google Business Profile, service pages, “near me” targeting)

  
  

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, insurance, security, or financial advice. Program availability, eligibility requirements, and rebate details may change at any time - please confirm current terms directly with the program administrators and relevant providers. For emergencies or crimes in progress, call 911; for non-emergency incidents, contact local authorities and your insurer.

2026 Reality Check: Downtown Kelowna Businesses Are Still Getting Hit