Municipal officials and business leaders in Cap-Acadie are working together to address crime in the community.

A number of businesses in the region have been damaged or destroyed by fire over the past five years.

The latest on July 9 destroyed three buildings at the Elphege et Norbert LeBlanc Ltd. fish plant in Petit-Cap.

“Let me be very clear: There is no place for crime in Cap-Acadie. The region’s business community deserves better,” Anthony Azard, CEO of the Cap-Acadie Chamber of Commerce, told reporters on Thursday.

Chamber members and municipal officials met earlier in the day to discuss how they can improve safety for business owners.

One of the ideas that came out of that meeting was a crime prevention and awareness toolbox for both businesses and citizens.

“The toolbox will consist of many facts about what can be done to better prepare in terms of prevention,” said Azard.

“It’s not only about fire. It could be about theft, it could be about any incident happening in your business, for example.”

Azard said the content will be developed over the coming weeks, adding they want to ensure they get it right.

Serge Léger, mayor of the Regional Town of Cap-Acadie, said he was happy with how Thursday’s meeting went.

“But it does not end there. We will continue to have meetings with different stakeholders to better understand everyone’s roles and responsibilities to determine a better course of action so our businesses are safe,” said Léger.

Both Léger and Azard welcomed the news that three people had been charged with arson in the Petit-Cap fish plant fire.

They urge anyone who has information about the fire — even if they are unsure that it is directly related — to contact Shediac RCMP.