Make it a community forum

Re: Kelowna mayor pledges more RCMP and bylaw patrols, plans business forum on public safety (Castanet, Jan 8)

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas said in the interview with Castanet: “We’re going to increase the foot patrol of RCMP officers."

Currently, what's the total number of hours of RCMP foot patrols per week? What will be the estimated increase of hours of RCMP foot patrols per week?

He also said: "We’re going to increase our bylaw services."

What's the total number of hours of bylaw services per week? What will be the estimated increase of hours of bylaw services per week?

Why is Kelowna an outlier in the Okanagan when it comes to having a volunteer citizens' patrol program? Canadian Citizens on Patrol operate in Osoyoos, Oliver, Penticton, Summerland, Peachland, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Enderby and Salmon Arm.

"We’re going to do business visits to see what we can do to help create a safer environment for those businesses,”” said Dyas.

The city should cover the cost and installation of roll-down shutters for any business owner who wants them. Kelowna can certainly afford it because it has an annual surplus of about $137 million, and an accumulated 2024 surplus of about $2.75 billion.

According to reporter Cindy White, Dyas and city councillors will host a “business community forum on public safety” in early February, in an effort to address the escalating disorder concerns. That implies the general public will not be invited.

If the event was changed to a community forum on public safety and held at the Kelowna Community Theatre in the evening—which has a total of 853 seats—both business owners and the general public could be accommodated.

The admission could be a donation of a non-perishable food item to the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

David Buckna, Kelowna