Photo: RCMP

Property crime rates in Penticton have plummeted this year, according a quarterly update to the city by the RCMP.

On Tuesday, Supt. Ted De Jager will present fresh stats to council that show property crime down 14 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, when compared to the same time last year.

“Overall, our increased targeting is paying dividends over the end of last year. Most break and enter categories are down, however, the trend with respect to theft of and from vehicles continues,” De Jager writes in his report, explaining theft from vehicles have inched up four per cent.

He also noted the summer months typically bring higher rates of property crime for the region.

“We will continue with education and public appeals to protect their property, while ramping up enhanced patrols and targeting of our prolific offenders,” he added.

Violent crime is up five per cent, but accounts for just four per cent of the total calls for service. Domestic violence has fallen by 13 per cent when compared to Q1 2017. The detachment handled just over 4,100 calls for service in the first four months of 2018.

Looking across the South Okanagan—Similkameen, property crime saw a seven per cent drop. Violent crime, however, rose by 17 per cent.