Citrus Heights ACCESS luncheon keynote speaker Police Chief Alex Turcotte (left) smiles next to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sherri Merick.

 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce’s monthly ACCESS Citrus Heights luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 16 drew in local business professionals and city leaders for a dynamic discussion on public safety, community growth and business development.

The event, sponsored by the City of Citrus Heights, featured Police Chief Alex Turcotte as the keynote speaker, offering insights into local safety initiatives and how they intersect with business health in the community. The gathering also celebrated new members joining the chamber and a significant philanthropic contribution to local education.

Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick introduced the guest speaker with high praise, highlighting Turcotte’s leadership.

“He has been with the City of Citrus Heights since 2006 and became our police chief in 2021,” Merrick said. “We believe the city made the best decision by appointing him to this role and he’s been doing an amazing job for our community.”

The luncheon’s Q&A session between Merrick and Turcotte focused on a range of topics affecting the local business climate, including public safety, retail theft, homelessness and redevelopment efforts. Turcotte delved into his experience growing up in a family business and being the son of entrepreneurs.  

The luncheon’s Q&A session between Chief Alex Turcotte (left) and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sherri Merick covered a range of topics about the community.

The luncheon kicked off with the chamber welcoming two new members: FieldHaven Feline Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare, and LMS Garage Doors, a local company known for its commitment to customer service. FieldHaven recently partnered with the City of Citrus Heights to provide affordable spay and neuter services for pet owners who otherwise cannot afford them.

Merrick also announced a generous donation from the chamber to the San Juan Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting the educational needs of students and teachers in the area. The chamber had pledged a portion of the proceeds from its previous event, the Best of Citrus Heights, and presented a $2,000 check to the foundation.

San Juan Education Foundation Executive Director Colleen Cadwallader expressed her gratitude for the donation.

“Our mission is to harness the combined power of philanthropy and partnership to propel student achievement. This is a great example of how collaboration can drive positive change in our community,” said Cadwallader.   

During the Q&A, Chief Turcotte shared several key insights into the role of public safety in sustaining a healthy business environment. One key takeaway was the importance of customer experience, both for residents and business owners.

The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce donated $2,000 to the San Juan Education Foundation.

“Our job is to make sure people feel safe as they move through town, whether they’re shopping, visiting parks or working,” said Turcotte. “When businesses are thriving and people feel safe, good things happen in our community.”

Turcotte highlighted the city’s efforts to combat retail theft and organized crime through technology, including a $2.7-million grant from the State of California, which has helped fund innovative tools such as high-definition surveillance cameras and license plate readers.

“We’ve had great success in using this technology to take down organized crime rings that target retail businesses,” said Turcotte. “In the past few years, we’ve helped dismantle 10 of these rings locally and recover $8 million in stolen goods statewide.”

Chief Turcotte emphasized the critical importance of reporting every crime, no matter how small. He explained that without official documentation, incidents can’t be tracked or addressed effectively.

“If you don’t tell us about it, it didn’t happen officially,” Turcotte said.

Turcotte highlighted how business owners can utilize online crime reporting tools, noting that even minor incidents contribute valuable data, which helps the police department allocate resources efficiently and hold criminals accountable.

Turcotte also urged business owners to implement simple but effective security measures, such as additional staff during the holiday season and focusing on their store’s high-risk areas.

“When we think of crime or criminals, treat it kind of like moving water,” Turcotte explained. “There's no way to prevent a motivated criminal enterprise from wanting to steal but the idea is that if you can make your target harder then the next one, they're going to flow to an easier one.”

One of the luncheon’s key takeaways was Turcotte’s advice to business owners regarding storefront upgrades. He recommended focusing on simple, cost-effective improvements such as maintaining proper lighting, landscaping and signage to deter crime and create a welcoming environment.

The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce welcomed two new members, FieldHaven Feline Center and LMS Garage Doors.

“Keeping your storefront clean and well-kept can make a huge difference,” Turcotte said. “It shows that you care about your business and your community. Criminals are more likely to target areas where it looks like no one is paying attention.”

Another pressing issue discussed was homelessness and mental health. Turcotte emphasized the importance of balancing compassion with accountability.

“Homelessness isn’t a crime and poverty isn’t a crime,” Turcotte said. “But if someone is causing harm to public spaces, we need to step in.”

Turcotte shared a story of an individual who had been a repeat offender in the community but ultimately received the help and services needed to turn their life around. This transformation, Turcotte noted, was possible through collaboration with nonprofit organizations and local service providers, as well as accountability measures that led the individual to accept the help offered.

As the City of Citrus Heights continues to redevelop, especially with changes at the Sunrise Mall, Turcotte outlined plans for maintaining security during this transition.

“The perception of the public to move freely around and enjoy public space has a direct correlation with actual safety numbers. So trying to get those quality-of-life improvements down there and work through that has been very important to us,” said Turcotte.

Turcotte also shared a personal story from his family’s business that shaped his approach to leadership. He encouraged business owners to take ownership of their challenges and not rely on others to solve problems.

“There is no ‘they,’ there’s only ‘we,’” Turcotte said. “If you want to make a change, you have to take action from where you are. We all play a part in making this community better.”

The next ACCESS Citrus Heights Luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Citrus Heights Event Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive.