A report released this morning from Statistics Canada identified Kelowna as having the highest Crime Rate in the country last year, but Kelowna’s new Detachment Commander isn’t dwelling in the past.

On July 25, 2013 at 5:30 am, Statistics Canada released a report on Police-Reported Crime Statistics for 2012 which identified the Kelowna Census Metropolitan Area as having the highest crime rate in Canada. Additionally, the Crime Severity Index for the Kelowna Census Metropolitan Area increased by approximately 6% in 2012. The crime rate increase in Kelowna, Lake Country and West Kelowna in 2012 is primarily attributable to an increase in property offences. For that same period, statistics show a downward trend in persons offences – such as assaults. Specifically, Kelowna saw changes in the following areas:

° Property crime increased by 13.5% in 2012:

• Break and enters increased by 7.2% – More than half of that increase is attributed to one prolific offender who relocated from Calgary to West Kelowna
• Theft of motor vehicles increased by 2.6%
• Thefts from motor vehicles increased by 37.6%
• Frauds increased by 19%
• Theft of bicycles increased by 73%

° Other Criminal Code offences decreased by approximately 9% ° Drug offences increased by 3% ° Persons offences decreased by approximately 2.5%

Community safety is absolutely the highest policing priority here in Kelowna. I believe strongly that we need an all hands on deck approach to this universal issue and that everyone, including the police and the residents of this community, play an important and collective role says Inspector Nick Romanchuk, incoming Officer in Charge of the Kelowna RCMP.

As the incoming Officer in Charge of Kelowna Regional Detachment, it is my goal that Kelowna is never again mentioned in a Stats Canada report on crime unless it is recognized for significant reductions in crime. I am comforted that I have a very capable team who is dedicated to improving the safety of our communities through a number of means, he adds.

The Kelowna RCMP regional detachments will continue to monitor crime trends and patterns, to identify prolific offenders, and gather evidence to present a comprehensive range of charges to court. We will continue to work with our communities on any key issues as they arise and encourage everyone to become an invested partner in keeping our communities safe through prevention.