Shoplifting and auto thefts show big spikes in Kelowna

Crime numbers are up in Kelowna over the first four months of this year.

RCMP Superintendent Kara Triance told city council auto thefts are up 48 per cent from the same time last year, while residential (15 per cent) and commercial break-ins (13 per cent) are also up, but there is some good news.

“There were notable decreases in reported theft from vehicles and bike thefts,” a city news release stated.

Also of note was a 64 per cent increase in calls to downtown Kelowna and a 41 per cent increase in assault with a weapon, a national trend.

Shoplifting files were up by a whopping 63 per cent in the first quarter of 2022.

Council also considered a request to expand its Advocacy Framework priorities to address the challenges with prolific offenders, giving staff the go-ahead to discuss issues around prolific offenders and advocate to the provincial government.

Council heard that a small number of persistent and prolific property offenders are responsible for an overwhelming portion of property crime incidents.

In December 2021, RCMP Southeast District identified 15 offenders who had 1,039 negative contacts with police in the first 11 months last year. One offender was responsible for generating 346 RCMP files since 2016, an average of more than one per week for six years.

In other Kelowna council news, council has approved a development permit for a six-storey, 216-bed student housing development on the Okanagan College Campus.

The development includes 168 micro units, four double units, and 10 quad units, plus a club room, games room, and study spaces on each floor.