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(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

After making headlines as Canada's crime capital last year, Kamloops RCMP statistics show a downturn in crime reported to police in 2024.

Aside from a jump in drug possession, reported crime is down in all categories, according to the Kamloops RCMP annual report.

The drop in crime reported to police includes a 13 per cent downturn in property crime compared to 2023 and notably includes a 26% drop in vehicle thefts, while business break-ins were nearly cut by half.

The city earned the crime capital badge last summer in part because of population growth. Statistics Canada placed Kamloops at the top of the list all Canadian cities over 100,000 people based on 2023 crime rates.

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Any crime capital title was downplayed by city council and Kamloops RCMP at the time, with Supt. Jeff Pelley pointing to smaller communities with much higher crime rates calculated on a per capita basis.

"I'll quote Wayne Gretzky: 'In my opinion, stats are for losers," Coun. Kelly Hall said during a July 30 council meeting. "I think what we need to be talking about is what are we as a community and council are doing to protect our community, and that involves our RCMP members."

Violent crime went down in 2024 with four-year lows reported for robberies, sexual assaults and threats.

While property crime was down in most areas, shoplifting reports have risen steadily year-over-year, doubling since 2021 to nearly 1,500 files. Residential break-in reports also rose when compared to 2023 by 27%, though still down from 2022 and 2021.

Kamloops RCMP boasted success in targeting repeat offenders, with its Crime Reduction Unit starting the year by chasing a spike in commercial break-ins. They identified and charged four people who were responsible for at least 17 combined break-ins, according to the report.

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A separate repeat violent offender program, which partners with a dedicated Crown prosecutor, has 21 people on the list, two of whom died and were replaced within the year.

Of those 21 on the Kamloops watch list, 13 are native to the city, 10 are currently in custody and another has an outstanding arrest warrant.

The program has seen "much more favourable outcomes" for the public when those offenders go to court, the report said.

It goes on to say anecdotal reports suggest those who get addiction treatment do better than most. If not remaining sober, they go longer periods without relapse and prompt returns to treatment.

City council will hear Supt. Pelley present his report at a council meeting next week.

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