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Kelowna’s crime rate and its crime severity dropped in 2024, but RCMP are still dealing with a staggering amount of calls for service.

Kelowna’s property crime rate went down by two per cent, and the crime severity index dropped by seven per cent in 2024, according to Kelowna RCMP’s annual report.

These numbers show progress but Kelowna RCMP respond to far more calls for service than many other cities in B.C.

Kelowna RCMP had 34,537 calls for service per 100,000 residents last year, compared to Richmond’s 17,286 and Coquitlam’s 13,877.

The decline in property crime is largely driven by a drop in the number of break and enters and bike thefts, which have gone down by 19 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively, since 2023.

Break and enters are also a major driver for the crime severity index.

The crime severity index measures how serious crimes are and calculates an average. Crimes are given a severity value first-degree murder has a crime severity value of 8273.62 while mischief has a value of 26.99.

Break and enters are valued at 205 on the crime severity index, so 91 fewer business break-ins makes a difference in the statistics.

Kelowna was the nation’s crime capital two years ago until it was unseated by Kamloops, but according to Statistics Canada data from the summer it still ranks 7th in the country.

READ MORE: Kamloops RCMP report a downturn in crime in 2024

In 2023, Kelowna RCMP recommended charges for 2,174 people and in 2024 that number fell to 1,915.

Kelowna RCMP’s report noted the amount of fraud as a driver for the city’s crime severity. This aligns with some recent anecdotes about scammers targeting seniors.

Overall crime is down, but RCMP said robberies are up in the city. Robberies increased by 15 per cent compared to 2023 and assaults were up six per cent.

“Many of these robberies and assaults take place in non-residential, non-commercial areas and often involve individuals affected by vulnerabilities such as homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use,” the report said.

Arson also spiked in Kelowna in 2024, but RCMP said it's because of how the crime is reported and investigated.

"While reported crime generally decreased in 2024, arson increased by 54 per cent compared to 2023, largely due to reporting procedures and lack of information to rule out arson. We continue to work closely with the Kelowna Fire Department and the Community Safety Services Branch to investigate these cases and promote community education on fire safety. Our goal is to reduce arson occurrences and enhance public safety," the report read. 

Kelowna RCMP Insp. Chris Goebel is going to present the report to the city council on Monday, March 10.

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