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Kelowna RCMP had fewer calls for service during the six-month period from April through September.

There were some significant increases in some crime categories as they returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to a report from RCMP Supt. Kara Triance that is going to Kelowna city council on Monday, Nov. 28.

Overall calls for service were down 5% to 33,510 in the past six months versus 2021. Of those, 1,645 had a mental health component, on par with last year. That means about 5% of all calls to police had a mental health component.

Robberies jumped 91.6% in the theft with violence or intimidation category, an increase of 33 cases over the six-month period to 51. This is similar to what’s happening in the rest of B.C., the report says.

Classifying these crimes in the same way as the rest of the country may account for some of the increase, the report says.

Domestic violence cases dropped 19% in the second quarter to 247 cases and 34% in the third quarter to 201 cases compared to last year.

“Overall, the City of Kelowna is trending downwards in violent crimes against persons whereas both province and district-wide reporting are trending upwards in this same category,” the report says.

Bike thefts jumped 85% in the second quarter to 133 and 41% in the third quarter to 247 compared to last year. Again, this takes the city to pre-pandemic levels.

In response, Kelowna RCMP relaunched its bait bike program.

Business break-ins were up 38% in the second quarter to 167 and up 35% in the third quarter to 231versus 2021. They are now at 2019 levels.

There was a 72.1% increase in overdose calls to 117 during the six-month period.

“As with most Canadian industries, the police sector is struggling to recruit, train and retain officers,” the report says. “Recruit classes at the RCMP Depot are significantly smaller and, in some cases, have been cancelled outright.”

This is a trend happening across North America and Kelowna is no exception, the report says. Along with tougher recruitment there is an increasing number of officers retiring. This means there are higher caseloads per officer, which has led to higher illness rates.

The Kelowna detachment responded to the shortages by sending more officers to front-line enforcement and bringing in officers from the Lower Mainland for support on long weekends.

“With these additional resources in place, the RCMP experienced a noted reduction in calls for service, likely due to their high visibility in high crime and busy tourist areas,” the report says. “This initiative also saw an offshoot benefit with several officers requesting to be posted to the Kelowna detachment, after experiencing the fulfilling work offered and desirable living conditions within the City of Kelowna.”

In the summer, 29% of positions were vacant. That’s expected to improve to 15% by February 2023.

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