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Mayor’s Statement on Crime Severity Index

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 25, 2024    As a Council we recently updated our Priorities to ensure ongoing positive momentum and meaningful actions are taken on public safety and social issues.  We are pleased to see our progress reflected in the annual Crime Severity Index (CSI) report issued by Statistics Canada today. The CSI is one of many indicators used by the City to evaluate and measure safety and crime in our community. While we are pleased to see the data reflect the positive trends we are starting to see in Kelowna, we do not wait or rely upon the CSI to tell us what our issues are as a community. RCMP provides crime data updates to Council on a regular basis so that, together, we are taking timely and innovative actions to address the safety needs of our community.  Many of the types of crime that drive our position on the CSI are ones where we have seen positive downward trends over the past year. Representing 44 percent of the City’s annual operating budget, Community Safety is the largest investment we make among all departments. This has allowed us to move forward on several initiatives and programs over the last year including: 

Convening a Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction, which resulted in seven recommendations that focus on our residents, our neighbourhoods and neighbourhood associations, businesses and business improvement areas, and prioritizing safety for all communities in Kelowna. Enhancing visibility and presence of safety and enforcement positions, including 24 RCMP officers, 10 Bylaw officers, and 10 firefighters since 2022. Contributing $130,000 towards the launch of the URBA On Call program, which services the Upper Rutland Business Area with quickened response times that alleviate calls for RCMP and Bylaw to attend the area.  Continuing delivery  of the Community Safety Plan recommendations, with a focus on prevention and upstream initiatives, and improving how big systems work together.  

Crime and Community Safety remain a top priority for this Council, and we are pleased to see positive changes in the community due to this commitment. To advance this priority in our community, we need to continue to work with organizations and other levels of government to address mental health supports and other areas in which the City is not designed or equipped to provide. We currently have several advocacy efforts ongoing, including the need for stricter accountability for repeat property offenders, bail reform and more local Crown Prosecutors dedicated particularly to bail hearings and repeat property offenders.  We also advocated for banning the use of illicit drugs in public spaces, for stricter bail conditions for repeat violent offenders, increasing complex care housing and supports, and continuing to work with provincial partners to effectively address social issues such as homelessness, mental health, addictions, and complex needs. We share the concerns that residents and businesses voice about safety in our community and we are committed to continue our efforts in collaboration with the RCMP to address crime and safety in our community head on.  -30- 

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