COVID-19 may be changing crime patterns in Penticton

There were some changes to Penticton crime patterns in the first three months of 2020 that may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics from the Penticton RCMP first quarter report show an increase in the number of business break-ins and a drop in residential break and enters.

While many people were self-isolating at home due to the pandemic, there were 24 residential break-ins in the first three months of 2020, down 23 per cent from the 31 recorded during the last three months of 2019. Residential break and enters were down on a year-to-year basis as well, from 45 in the first quarter of 2019, to 24 in the first quarter of this year, a drop off 47 per cent.

As businesses shut their doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, business break and enters jumped 61 per cent (47 to 76) from the first quarter of this year compared to the last quarter of 2019.

Calls under the Mental Health Act were up 30 per cent (112 to 146) from the last three months of 2019 when compared to the first three months of 2020.

Penticton RCMP detachment commander Supt. Brian Hunter is expected to present the quarterly crime statistics to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board of directors meeting, May 21.

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