Crime On The Rise

Crime is on the rise in Kelowna. Year end crime statistics for 2003 reveal there were 17,813 crimes reported in Kelowna. That's a 16% increase over the number of crimes reported in 2002 or 2,603 more. RCMP say almost 8,000 of these files were alarms, 95% of which were false.

The number of crimes reported outside the city, which includes Westbank, Ellison, Joe Rich and Big White, also increased last year. In 2003 there were 4259 crimes reported in the rural area. That is 712 more than the previous year or a 20 increase.

Crime is also on the rise in BC, with an 8% increase in the third quarter of last year compared to 2002. Comparing third quarter stats by region, Kelowna Municipal Detachment increased 16%, Penticton 29%, Vernon 11%, Prince George 24% and Kamloops 22%.

The province has seen record high numbers of stolen vehicles with Kelowna reporting 992 stolen, an increase of 39% from 2002. Our rural area saw a decrease of 15%. Vernon meanwhile saw an increase of 58% while Penticton had an increase of 18%.

There were 12 traffic fatalities in Kelowna in 2003 more than double the number from 2002. RCMP say the majority of those killed were not wearing seatbelts and in some cases alcohol was involved. Kelowna RCMP are continuing campaigns concerning wearing seatbelts, driving while impaired and aggressive drivers. It's all part of Road Safety Vision 2010, a program designed to make Canada's roads the safest in the world.

The number of business and residential break-ins also increased in 2003 compared to the previous year. 356 businesses and 901 homes were broken into for an increase of 17 and 51% respectively.

nd the Kelowna Drug Section continues to target drug traffickers and marijuana grow operations.