Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield said he's encouraged by new federal data indicating a downtrend in local crime but insisted "there is more work to do."
The city's crime rate dropped by six per cent from 2023 to 2024, according to StatsCan.
Meanwhile, its crime severity index (CSI) 鈥� which compares current statistics to a baseline average score of 100 鈥� was 166.51 in 2024, representing a five-year low.
鈥淪ince this council was elected, public safety has been our number one priority," Bloomfield said. "While we are encouraged by the fact that Penticton鈥檚 CSI has dropped year over year since 2021, there is more work to do, which is why it remains our top priority."
Even with the encouraging trends provided by StatsCan, Penticton still has the highest crime rate and CSI in the Okanagan.
Per capita, the city posted a crime rate of 17,044.34 in 2024. That's up from the next highest in Vernon (13,092.11) and 麻豆精选 (10,959.03).
Penticton RCMP in May released more timely, first-quarter data for 2025, which showed calls for service down 14 per cent and total property crime rate down 27 per cent. Reports of auto theft were also 69 per cent below the five-year average, it added.
Bloomfield said he's optimistic that second-quarter results 鈥� to be released on Aug. 19 鈥� will also reflect a positive trend.
"Public safety remains the city鈥檚 largest investment, representing 40 per cent of our annual operating budget," he added.
Investments in fighting crime over the last year in Penticton have led to the creation of a new Public Safety and Partnerships Division, as well as the launch of the Integrated Crisis Response Team (Car 40), which pairs RCMP officers with Interior Health-funded nurses on select calls. The city also helped establish a temporary winter shelter in November 2024 on Dawson Avenue.
Expanding the city's downtown camera program and adding nine RCMP officers since 2021 represent other recent public safety investments.
"We understand and share the concerns of residents and businesses regarding safety," Bloomfield said. "Council remains steadfast in its commitment to working with the RCMP and community partners to address crime and enhance safety across Penticton.鈥�
