City of Kelowna and RCMP address residents’ concerns about property crime – Okanagan

The City of Kelowna is responding to a group concerns of residents about the crimes going on in and around their apartment building in downtown Kelowna.

Residents say there has been a flurry of property crime around their homes, which they attribute to customers of the nearby Doyle Avenue shelter.

“I sympathize with their plight and I share their frustration,” said Darren Caul, the City of Kelowna’s director of community safety.

“Whenever a new shelter or assisted living facility opens, we work very closely with the site operators and the people who run the site have done an excellent job of trying to minimize any possible risk or impact on the neighboring community.”

The City of Kelowna along with the Kelowna RCMP tracks crime statistics around shelters. They say that the statistical impact of the Doyle Shelter position is minimal.

“We have not seen any significant increase in reported crime around this site,” Caul said.

“I emphasize the word ‘reported’ because we know people don’t always report (crimes to the police). I encourage residents to report it because if the police didn’t know they wouldn’t go.”

Kelowna RCMP was not available for interview but provided a statement.

Cpl. Tammy Lobb wrote, “We are deeply saddened to learn that citizens in our community are frustrated and scared in their neighborhood.

“The RCMP Kelowna Community Safety Unit works closely with staff at the shelters, and our walking and bike patrols actively patrol these areas not just for health checks. customers but also liaise with local residents and businesses about any concerns they may have. ”

Residents want to see more action taken and are planning to bring their concerns to Kelowna council.

2:33
Kelowna parents say school board decision will split families and create transportation nightmare