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A series of drug-related shootings in the Vernon area last year bumped up violent crime statistics for the city.
Recently released Statistics Canada data shows violent and non-violent crime increased in Vernon in 2016.
The annual crime severity index measures the volume and severity of individual offences, placing more weight on serious crimes.
In 2016, the Vernon municipal CSI jumped 18.68 per cent to 156.99, the highest in the Okanagan.
The head of the Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP detachment attributes the increase to the actions of prolific offenders and a series of shots-fired incidents last year, as well as other serious offences.
He also pointed out population is a factor in the data and, in a smaller town city like Vernon, one violent crime can have a significant impact on the rankings.
“While the annual crime severity report is based on police statistics, a number of factors can contribute positively or negatively including: prolific offenders, serious persons offences (like attempted murder) and targeted enforcement by the police,” Supt. Jim McNamara said in an email to Castanet.
“In 2016, Vernon experienced a number of violent incidents, including three where a firearm was discharged. These incidents, which were linked to the drug trade, would significantly impact the city’s violent crime rating.”
In May 2016, the RCMP's gang enforcement team was called in after three shots-fired incidents in less than a month. Within days, a teenage male was arrested after a loaded weapon was allegedly found in his possession.
The StatsCan figures also showed a 19.19 per cent increase in non-violent crime last year.
Penticton topped the Okanagan in terms of property crime numbers.
McNamara said targeted policing and proactive initiatives resulted in the arrest of a number of prolific offenders.
“The Vernon RCMP remains committed to developing crime reduction strategies that identify and target known prolific offenders, and we will continue to work with our partners and the community to reduce all types of crime in Vernon," he said.
