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VIDEO: Kelowna RCMP questions validity of highest crime rate distinction

Kelowna RCMP Superintendent Kara Triance admits Kelowna has a crime problem, but she rejects the suggestion that Central Okanagan has the highest crime rate in the country.

Newly released figures from Statistics Canada show Kelowna with the highest crime rate.

It's simple.

There were over 11 thousand police-reported crimes in the region in 2021, for every 100,000 residents.

No other community in the country has that kind of ratio.

Kelowna also came second among Canada’s largest CMAs in the Crime Severity Index (CSI) rankings, which account for the seriousness of crimes as well as the volume.

But the head of the Kelowna RCMP detachment points out that Stats Canada is ignoring the 2.2 million people who spend time in the Kelowna area every year.

"It does not reflect that visitor increase with our population statistics," Supt. Kara Triance. "But it does affect that in incidents recorded crime."

But while she disputes the validity of Kelowna's dubious distinction as the nation's leading crime hub, she's not suggesting there isn't a crime problem here.

And she said her detachment is actively addressing it.

"We continue to prioritize community safety by putting more uniformed officers on the street in Kelowna with a focus on our priority areas," Triance explained, "and increasing our shifting to our busiest times."

The Superintendent went on to describe how local police are especially focused on repeat and prolific offenders.

"Recovering significant volumes of high-value property in 2021, taking down chop shops," she said. "And arresting the highest risk property offenders in our community."

Still, Kelowna's top cop is not suggesting Kelowna doesn't have serious crime problems.

"These numbers, don't get me wrong, are very concerning," she said.

One disturbing area where there has been an increase in the number of files is child pornography.

Triance points out that a new team to take it on directly.

<who>Photo credit: NowMedia </who> File photo

"We have a new team as of 2022 which is dedicated specifically to this type of investigation."

At a news conference set up to address the Statistics Canada report, she referred to her own previous criticisms of the justice system that she refers to as a "catch and release system".

Triance said she's looking forward to a provincial report which has promised to look into the matter in Kelowna and other cities.

"I'm hopeful that this work is going to lead to improved health care and justice systems," she said. "And improve the safety in our communities."

The Kelowna RCMP has hired 29 people since the start of the year, and there are still positions to be filled.



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