Drug activity increasing

Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo

Supt. Brent Mundle.

Kelowna's top cop says police in the city are noticing an increase in drug activity in the downtown area.

Supt. Brent Mundle made the assertion during his quarterly report to city council.

"We've been putting considerable effort into it with respect to the street-level drug projects, as well as our daily enforcement," Mundle told council Monday.

"Our enforcement numbers for drug-related activity have increased in the downtown area over this reporting period as well."

In addition, Mundle said the detachment's serious crime units have also been working on higher level drug projects over the past several months.

He says those investigations have targeted fentanyl, and other drugs within the city.

One that recently concluded took several kilos of drugs off the streets.

"We seized 6.6 kilograms of fentanyl, 3.2 kg of methamphetamine, 2.25 kg of cocaine, approximately $150,000, several fire arms, and 11 people were recommended for charges," said Mundle.

He says that investigation targeted specific people operating a drug line within the city

He says other investigations have netted significant quantities of meth, cocaine and fentanyl, as well as multiple hand guns and assault rifles.

With numerous other reported incidents involving drugs and the homeless in City Park and other areas of the downtown, Mayor Colin Basran asked the superintendent about other measures police are taking.

Mundle said RCMP have definitely seen an increase in calls for service in the downtown area over the past few months.

"We've initiated our bike patrol and also increased our foot patrols in the area. Many of these we are doing in collaboration with our bylaw partners.

"There's also been an increase in private security in the downtown area around particular areas...to have a presence down there, to assist in moving people along and provide a sense of safety."

He said members are also being encouraged to increase patrols downtown, while enforcement has also been stepped up."

Other crime metrics have also increased over the first portion of 2018 over a year ago. Mundle says property offences, crimes against people, such as common assaults, and "other offences," are up over a year ago.

Calls for service are also up by 4.7 per cent.

Mundle does say those numbers are consistent with other communities throughout the Okanagan.