Penticton police putting dent in some crime stats

PENTICTON – RCMP appear to be making big strides in tackling crime in the city, according to quarterly crime stats released today. 

RCMP Supt. Ted De Jager showed Penticton city councillors that a number of offences are down significantly. Auto theft is down 16 per cent compared to the same quarter last year and residential and business break and enters are both down 31 per cent and 37 per cent respectively.

De Jager presented a revised format of the most recent quarter’s police crime stats while updating council on police activity in the city at today’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Aug. 15.

But it wasn't all rosy: Some break and enters, for example, were up 27 per cent. De Jager told council the category includes break and enters to garages, sheds and other outbuildings. He said residents tended to protect their main dwelling, with outbuildings sometimes getting ignored.

Thefts from vehicle continue to be an issue in Penticton, with a 32 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Property crime rose three per cent while violent crime dropped by eight per cent over the same period last year.

De Jager also noted property crime in the city dropped in July.

A second part of the report, dealing with public complaints and financial information was delivered to council an in camera meeting held later.

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