Statistics from the Penticton RCMP detachment show property crime in the city has been in decline for the last two quarters.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
October 19, 2020 - 6:30 PM
The Penticton RCMP saw a continuing decrease in property crime over the summer months as this year’s third quarter police statistics reveal.
Property crime is down 26 per cent from the same period last year, the report prepared for Penticton City Council shows.
Police calls in the third quarter were also down from 5,412 during last year’s third quarter to 4,723, a 13 per cent drop.
All property crime categories saw decreases in the third quarter, most notably the theft from vehicle category, which saw a 38 per cent decrease in incidents, from 369 in quarter 2019 to 230 in the third quarter of this year.
The category is down 7 per cent on the year to date statistics.
Some of the more serious crime categories did see an uptick in calls, however. Assault crimes rose by 17 per cent from 126 to 147 cases this third quarter, while violent crime as a whole rose by four per cent, from 266 incidents to 276 incidents.
The third quarter statistics follow a trend that appears to coincide with the beginning of COVID-19 lockdowns and the introduction of government-sponsored financial aid programs that began in April.
Significant reductions in property crimes were reported in the second quarter as well, with the category down 24 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2019.
The third quarter results will be presented to council at tomorrow’s regular meeting, Oct. 19.
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