Crosstown LRT construction fencing creating opportunity for thieves, businesses say

Businesses in theMount Pleasant Road and Eglinton Avenue East area say temporary barriers put up for construction of the EglintonCrosstown light rapid transitline is to blamefor a spate of recent break-ins and vandalism.

Maurice Fitzpatrick and his wife Rose, who operateMount Pleasant Pharmacy in a plaza on the ground floor of 245 Eglinton Ave. E., say they've noticed a spike in crime.

The temporary barrierserected around the perimeter ofwork sites toprevent unauthorised access are called construction hoarding.

"For 20 years no problems. Then, since August last year when construction hoarding went up we've had four break-ins," Fitzpatrick told CBCToronto.

He says the thieves are after narcotics and smash the glass panelled door to get their fix. In one instance, he says, they were able to break into a safe filled with the powerful painkillers. But they have also made off with cough syrup containing codeine.

Fitzpatrick says the thieves are not deterred by the multiple security cameras in his store and they keep coming back. He's had to replace his glass door four times and estimates he's out of pocket $15,000.

He blames the three-metre high wood barriers put up by Crosslinx Transit Solutions, the consortium hired by Metrolinx to build the LRT line, for the break-ins.

"The area is darker now;It's much more concealed," said Fitzpatrick. "It's contributed, no doubt in my mind, because I had no problems with actual break-ins at all at night."

He says his out of pocket expenses, including a new narcotics safe,are on top of a loss in business he's had due to a reduction in foot traffic caused by the construction, which is already one yearbehind schedule.

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The LRT was supposed to be completed by 2020, but it's now scheduled to be operational in 2021.

A few doors down, Brian (Daeyung) Lee of Dry Cleaning Fresh Beginning has had similar problems. He' s been in the mall for 15 years with no problems.

"The beginning of this construction security level is really down. I've noticed several break-ins, my neighbour, me. Me two times," said Lee.

"When the barrier was not there most people can see from the other side. Now with construction we cannot see anything, so that's why."

Metrolinx confirms that Fitzpatrickdid contact its contractorat Crosslinx Transit Solutionsto report several break-ins at his pharmacy, some of which, it says,occurred prior to construction moving to the south side of Eglinton Avenue East.

Crosslinxtoldhim that they do not reimburse for deductibles, butMetrolinxdoes advise that "If a business has been unduly affected by construction from the project, they have every right to pursue a legal process through their own lawyers to make a claim for damages."

Ina statement toCBCToronto, the provincial transit agency responsible for building the LRT, Metrolinx, says the construction hoarding in the area isdesigned to keep people safe from storm sewer tunnelling underway.

"Safety of local businesses and residents is a top priority and we take their concerns seriously, so much so thatCrosslinxhas addedlighting to the site," the statement reads.

Metrolinxsays it has a Mount Pleasant construction liaison committee, whichincludesmembers of residents associations andthe school community.

The agency says thegroupcompleted a site walk on Monday and additional artwork and signage to brighten the construction hoarding was discussed and will be implemented by Metrolinx.