Residents in Penticton had a chance to sit and chat with members of the regional RCMP detachment on Thursday at the Nest and Nectar.

It was the first time police had held such an event in the city, and the RCMP superintendent said the purpose is to build relationships within the community.

"Engagement's a big part of our priorities this year, and this is a great way to start doing that," Supt. Ted De Jager said. "This is a much less formal, easy way to get together and talk about some of the things in our community."

De Jager said many questions revolved around social issues in Penticton, including addictions, needles, mental health issues and lower-level property crime.

He said a "community active support table" will be introduced at the RCMP town hall meeting in Penticton next month, which will seek to bring agencies together to find solutions quickly on social issues. 

De Jager said people were also looking for feedback on ways to protect their properties, and he said simple measures like locking doors and not leaving valuables in vehicles will reduce victimization.

"But if something does happen, then I want the community to be assured that if they call, they will get a response. Is that always going to be a marked police car? Not necessarily. But it's going to be a response appropriate to what happens," he said.

"We're trying to get that message out to people that the police are always there... And that's one of the reasons we're doing this [engagement]; we're right here, we live here, we want to be a part of the community."

Some people on hand echoed the need for accountability among residents to help reduce some crimes.

"I think part of the issue when people look at police is they think they're going to solve everything," Penticton resident Jim Herron said. 

"And when you talk to them a bit, you find out there's a lot of other agencies that have to come into play as well, so you start to see that perspective."

De Jager said the detachment hopes to make the community discussions a monthly occurrence, and noted it would shift to different communities in the region.