Kelowna

Kelowna RCMP say they are well on their way to the detachment's goal of reducing crime in the city by 10 per cent by 2015.

Part of the detachment's Crime Reduction Strategy is to target prolific offenders through the utilization of a Crime Reduction Target Team (CRTT) and Property Crime Units (PCU).

Cst. Kris Clark says these units are operational and have yielded some 'great results.'

Clark says in mid-July, 2011, a prolific offender was released from custody and the RCMP Detachment noticed an almost immediate increase in the number of Honda car thefts in the city.

"Over a 47-day period, 39 Hondas were stolen. But, once the offender was back in custody, a nealy 72 per cent decrease in stolen Honda's was observed," says Clark.

He says the same offender was released again in mid-April of this year but, this time the PCU, assisted by the CRTT were prepared for his arrival.

"By targeting this particular offender, he was taken into custody quicker and managed to cause less overall work for the Kelowna RCMP," adds Clark.

"During his 23 days of freedom, 15 Honda cars were stolen but that number dropped to almost zero once he was incarcerated."

Clark says not all of the thefts were attributed to the same individual, however, the numbers do demonstrate how effective crime reduction strategies can be.

"In line with our priorities, the CRTT and PCU will continue to target prolific offenders in an effort to reduce crime in Kelowna and increase the effectiveness of policing in our community."

RCMP Superintendent, Bill McKinnon, stated previously that half of the 10 new officers approved by City Council earlier this year will make up a second Target Team.