Deadlines Extended!: City Launches Small Business Security Assistance Program

UPDATE: The City of San Leandro has extended the application deadlines as follows:

Assessment Application – New Deadline: January 22, 2024
Grant Application – New Deadline: February 5, 2024

The City has launched a new Small Business Security Assistance Program to benefit San Leandro businesses in need of enhanced security measures. The program kicked off with a Small Business Security Seminar, where Matthew Mayo of Critical Intervention Corps presented on common security challenges and how businesses can take steps to protect themselves.

Security Assessment

The program consists of two parts, each independent from the other. The first part is a security assessment. Eligible businesses may apply to receive an in-depth physical assessment of their commercial property by a professional crime prevention company, contracted by the City. This assessment will be conducted at no cost to the business and will culminate in a comprehensive report of property weaknesses and opportunities for improvements.

Security Grant

The second part is a grant for property improvements. The Security Grant (up to $5,000 per business) is designed to help eligible small businesses pay for security upgrades. The grant does not require repayment. Among other documents, applicants must provide a cost estimate of equipment purchases, installation services, or other upgrades.

These services are part of a larger initiative to promote aesthetic, accessibility, or security improvements to existing commercial buildings in San Leandro and serve to educate business and property owners and to discourage criminal activity by making the premises as uninviting to criminals as possible.

Small businesses are encouraged to learn more about the program visit the City’s COVID-19 Business Resources page, where you can find a Program Guide in English, Spanish, and Chinese, as well as application forms for the Security Assessment and Security Grant respectively.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for the Security Assessment is January 5, 2024, and the deadline for the Security Grant is January 19, 2024.

For more information, contact Economic Development Specialist Lars Halle at 510-577-3311 or lhalle@sanleandro.org.