Two dozen commercial burglaries and 11 retail thefts were reported in the city's central district in 2011, according to department statistics. Through Oct. 9 of this year, 10 commercial burglaries and 10 retail thefts were reported in the same area.

Offenders tend to commit crimes in places they know well, and they try to minimize their effort and risk by looking for cues, said Schneider, explaining such signs can include broken doors or windows that go unrepaired or petty violations that go unenforced.

"The (things) they're looking for are vulnerabilities," said Schneider, adding that making a property more secure can remove the opportunity for crime to occur.

"It's a lot easier for you to respond on the front end than for us to react on the back end," after a crime happens, he said.

Preventative measures may include making a property a harder target by installing burglar alarms and video cameras; enlisting the help of neighbors or other building tenants to keep their eyes open for crime; reinforcing doors; strengthening locks; and trimming trees and shrubs, he said.

The bulk of crime - 90 percent - occurs after dark, Schneider said. Lighting helps people observe their surroundings and respond to potential threats, and it should be protected from vandalism.

Officer Paul Reichman

Property owners should often inspect their buildings for vandalism, including graffiti, he said. Damage should be reported to police and repaired immediately to deter future occurrences.

Inside businesses, Schneider suggested designing aisles so employees can easily survey them from one end; prevent crowding displays of high-risk items craved by thieves, including clothing, razors and small electronics; and reducing blind corners, hidden alcoves and passageways, which can be challenging downtown in older buildings.

Recently, the city has experienced a huge increase in the number of homeless people, which has resulted in some problems, such as retail theft, public drunkenness and obstructing entries to businesses, Reichman said.

"They have a right to use downtown like everyone else," he said, noting in Eau Claire it's not illegal to be drunk in public or to loiter. However, business owners also have a right to refuse service to anyone.

Police also are developing relationships with homeless people and working with shelters to deter problems, he said.

Concerns about homelessness and thefts from business owners prompted the educational session, said DECI executive director Mike Schatz. Schatz said he was pleased with the presentation, which he said gave a number of tools property owners can use to protect their businesses and merchandise.

Debi Wing, the office manager at Kleven Real Estate on Harding Avenue, wished more people could have heard the presentation.

"It was just a great opportunity to learn," said Wing, explaining why she decided to attend.

In addition to picking up handouts for herself, she picked up extra copies for her sister Cindy Wing-Reed, who owns B-Framed Galleries on South Barstow Street, but who was unable to attend.

"These are tips you can (also) use to prevent crime at home," Wing said.