City trying to make West Kelowna a safer place

WEST KELOWNA – In response to numerous complaints about crime and homelessness in the Westbank Town Centre, the City of West Kelowna has shifted its bylaw offices to Lion’s Hall, effective today, Sept. 4.

That’s at the core of the commercial area of Westbank where most of the complaints originate so the idea is to have bylaws officers closer to the problem.

“We’ve heard our community’s concerns and council and I believe that this latest effort will go a long way to addressing many of the social and public safety issues that West Kelowna citizens have raised,” Mayor Gord Milsom said in a news release.

“Our efforts must be a combination of enforcement and compassion,” Milsom continued. “Like many communities across Canada, we are coping with complex social issues, not just homelessness, and we must ensure that public safety in downtown West Kelowna is paramount. At the same time, however, we must continue to work with other governments and agencies to establish more supportive services and social housing to help people who are experiencing homelessness.”

Before making the move, the City had to help the Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program relocate to 2411 Drought Rd.

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