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‘Crime used to be a small part of Kelowna society, but not anymore’: MLA Merrifield

‘The system is broken and people have been taking matters into their own hands’
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Kelowna-Mission Liberal MLA, Renee Merrifield says government needs to do more about crime rates in B.C. (Photo contributed)

Kelowna-Mission MLA Rene Merrifield wants to hear from you on crime.

“Crime used to be a fairly small part of our Kelowna society, but not anymore,” said Merrifield.

She was referring to a recent Statistics Canada report that the Kelowna census metropolitan area had the highest crime rate in the country in 2021.

The police-reported crime severity rate was second highest in Canada, behind Lethbridge. Merrifield noted it’s well documented that prolific and repeat offenders are a problem and that it’s not just a policing issue.

“The budget for Kelowna’s police department has gone up by 84 per cent over recent years,” she said. “Throwing more money towards policing isn’t going to help unless there are other supports in place.”

Despite the arrests they make, the rest of the system is not functioning as it should, and these officers see these same offenders day after day, added Merrifield. She said the system is broken and people have been taking matters into their own hands.

“A shop clerk runs out after being robbed and apprehends the suspect. A Facebook group starts up to maintain a watch on theft and crime in Kelowna, called “Take Back Kelowna”.

Merrifield added the RCMP is doing their part, but there is much more that could be done by government.

READ MORE: Kelowna had Canada’s highest crime rate in 2021

READ MORE: Visitor population not taken into account in high crime rates: Kelowna RCMP


@GaryBarnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Recently joined Kelowna Capital News and WestK News as a multimedia journalist in January 2022. With almost 30 years of experience in news reporting and radio broadcasting...
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