Tucson, AZ – (May 12, 2023) – The Tucson Metro Chamber has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) from City of Tucson’s Ward 4 Council Office to support its Coalition for Retail Theft (CART) program. CART, which was re-launched in 2021 by Tucson Metro Chamber’s president and CEO, Michael Guymon, aims to reduce retail theft and increase public safety in the Tucson area.
The CART program is a partnership between the Tucson Metro Chamber, local law enforcement agencies, and retail businesses. The program provides training and resources to help businesses prevent retail theft and works with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute theft cases.
City of Tucson Ward 4 Council Member, Nikki Lee, stated, "In order to effectively address crime within our community, it is vital that we look holistically at the far-reaching impacts it has on the fabric of Tucson. By investing in local businesses through the Ward 4 allocation of ARPA funds, we not only create a more vibrant and resilient economy, but also foster a sense of
ownership and shared responsibility that can actively contribute to the reduction of crime and its repercussions. The success of our community lies in our collective ability to understand the complexities of crime and work together to create safe, prosperous environments for all. Thank you to the Tucson Metro Chamber for their collaboration and leadership."
“I would like to thank Council Member Lee and her leadership in providing these necessary funds to help businesses reactively as well as proactively,” stated Michael Guymon. “This commitment validates the work we have completed to date, and we plan to find more partners from even more businesses in the region.”
The $100,000 grant will be used to expand the CART program and provide additional resources to local businesses. The funds will be used to assist businesses in making repairs to their
property caused by criminal activity and to install crime prevention features to their property.
Examples of eligible projects for businesses within the City of Tucson:
• Signage – purchase and installation of signage warning potential shoplifters and criminals that they will be prosecuted and/or they are being recorded; purchase and installation of no
trespassing signage
• Lighting – purchase and installation of exterior lighting fixtures; upgrade or replace/repair existing lighting
• Property cleanup – hire cleanup crews and landscapers to clean up a property; plant drought-tolerate plants that discourage criminal activity, panhandling, and/or loitering; graffiti removal
• Security cameras – purchase and installation of security cameras that record and store footage; upgrade or replacement of existing security cameras to ones that record and store
footage
• Alarm systems – purchase and installation of alarm systems; upgrade or replacement of inadequate alarm systems
• Training – bring in experts to train business owners and staff on what to watch for, how to react, what information to collect and document when criminal activity occurs, how to
administer naloxone/Narcan
• Defensive architecture – installation of design features that discourage loitering and criminal activity, such as bike racks, planters, etc
• Homeless encampments – hire a cleanup crew to address homeless encampments that are abandoned or where the homeless individuals have been removed by the City
Eligible businesses can apply for Tucson Metro Chamber’s CART Grant Program HERE.
The application closes Friday May 12 at 5pm. However, it’s easy to fill out and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. Don't miss this opportunity.