Mounties say they're stepping up patrols after recent break-ins at shops in Maple Ridge

Police say they're increasing patrols in the downtown core of Maple Ridge, B.C., after a recent rise in break-ins and thefts atlocal businesses.

Ridge Meadows RCMP describe the uptick as slight, but say they're using crime data to develop a targeted plan for dealing with a problem that has left some shop owners feeling anxious and afraid.

"This is a priority for the detachment and something that we take very seriously," Insp. Martin Guay said in a press release.

"We will be out there ensuring the safety of the people and businesses operating in the City of Maple Ridge."

Taylor Livesey, the owner of Vanilla Bean Bake Shop in Haney Place Mall, broke down in tears as she described the impact of anearly Tuesday morning break-in at her store.

"This is my baby, and it feels like an extension of me has just been ripped out of me," she told CBC News.

"When you put your heart and soul into something, to have somebody just come in here and violate that, without your permission, without your consent, it's not something that I would wish on anybody."

She said the person who broke in took off with cash from the register and a tablet used for orders. Because of the theft, Livesey is no longer keeping cash on site and has upgraded her security system.

"In terms of financial losses, we're into the thousands at this point, but it's not enough that it makes sense to go through insurance. This is money out of my pocket at our slowest month of the year," she said.

Not far away at Town & Country Vintage Home, Naomi Corr said she experienced her first break-and-enter on Sunday, after nearly eight years in business.

Someone threw a large rock through the front door, then made off with merchandise including jewelry made by local designers, and Corr said she's still tallying the damage.

"It has given us anxiety, fear. I'm looking at everyone who's walking by, going, oh, are they going to be casing us out?" she said.

"I don't sleep at night."

Both the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association say the break-ins are part of a larger trend across the Fraser Valley, and they're committed to helping small business owners get through it.

"Small business is the heart and soul of our community. For people who own these small businesses, it's a huge impact. It's financial, but it's also an emotional impact," Jerry Kok, chamber of commerce president,said.

RCMP say they'll be speaking with the affected businesses and will also ask for support from volunteers and the city's Integrated Safety Ambassador Team to increase patrols.