Online poll looks at crime

Photo: Darren Handschuh - File photo

The perception of an increase in crime in Vernon has been a hot topic of debate for several months and one man is taking to social media to see just how people feel about their city.

Paul Cousins has created a poll on the Vernon & Area Community Forum Facebook page asking people five questions about crime in Vernon, ranging from do you feel safe to have you witnessed a crime or been a victim of crime in the past 12 months.

The poll went live on Facebook Wednesday evening. By 4 p.m. Thursday, more than 200 people had responded.

Cousins said he created the poll because he has seen “far too much illegal activity to feel safe in the downtown core.”

“If the 6,316 members of this group give their honest opinion, it should give council something to act on,” posted Cousins.

About 115 people said the feel 'Safe during the day, but I avoid downtown at night,' while 106 said 'Even during the day, I am sometimes uneasy walking down the street.'

Only 39 people responded to the choice 'Perfectly safe all times of day.'

The poll also touched off an online debate with some people telling their stories of being impacted by crime to others saying Vernon is no worse than any other community this size.

On Sept. 9, city council held a special in-camera meeting with senior members of the Vernon RCMP.

While the details of the meeting were not revealed, Mayor Akbal Mund said he was satisfied with the RCMP's performance.

Mund said social media is playing a role in the perception of increased crime in the city.

"Social media has taken a couple of instances and taken Vernon as unsafe," said Mund. "It is not true."

Following the meeting, the city issued a statement saying “Vernon is a comparatively safe, attractive family community. Criminal incidents do occur. This is unfortunate and as a community we must, and will continue to address the undesirable and unacceptable activity that occurs in our community as we always have.”