Gangsters not welcome in Kelowna pubs and bars this summer

Organized gang members and other criminals involved with drugs, violence or firearms can be escorted out of licenced premises in Kelowna this summer.

This is the eighth year the Kelowna RCMP have been working with local businesses on a voluntary basis with its Inadmissible Patron Policy program.

Licenced premises and hotels who volunteer to participate in the program give the RCMP the right to remove inadmissible patrons under the B.C. Trespass Act.

"Our officers work closely with our partner businesses to ensure that all inadmissible patrons are properly notified and the business is in compliance with regulations under the Trespass Act," Kelowna RCMP Insp. Beth McAndie said in a media release. "Our goal with this program is for all patrons at our local businesses to feel safe knowing they aren’t being placed at risk due to ongoing criminal conflict."

A patron can be deemed inadmissible if their lifestyle, associations or activities pose a risk to public safety.

The criteria includes being involved in organized crime, being a gang member, being a known associate of such groups, being involved in the drug trade after being convicted of an offence or through another police data base, having a history of violent criminal activity and having a history of firearms offences.

"The Kelowna RCMP began this program in 2013/2014, and we are thrilled to be engaging in the IPP Program for another summer," Kelowna's top cop Supt. Kara Triance said in the release. "This program has been extremely successful in Kelowna, and has become an integral part of our efforts to ensure community safety from organized criminal elements."

RCMP don't say when the program will start or how many businesses are participating.

Businesses interested in the program can contact the Kelowna Special Enforcement Team via email at E_Kelowna_ipp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

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