Seniors reducing crime

KAMLOOPS – Having all of these seniors around is good for the crime rate, according to Kamloops RCMP.

Kamloops RCMP Const. Bernie Ward said that the influx of people in the city for the B.C. Seniors Games has had a positive effect on crime in the city since it began earlier this week.

With approximately 3,700 athletes, along with out-of-town fans and spectators, the streets in the Tournament Capital are packed, the city is busy — but police haven't been. He said people are less likely to commit crimes in large crowds and more likely to do it when people aren't around.

"With so many people around, it drives crime down," Ward said. "More people, more eyes."

He said the heat also helps reduce crime.

"It's keeping people off the street," he said.

Ward said a similar effect occurs in winter during extreme cold.

To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca, call: (250) 319-7494 or tweet: @jess__wallace.