Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
Osoyoos’ RCMP commander has learned to take the good with the bad, and this quarter he’s taking the good . . . with a bit of caution.
At Thursday’s regional district meeting, Sgt. Jason Bayda said he will take the good for now, knowing that crime stats may (or likely) increase next quarter.
“In general, in quarter three, we are looking good across the board.”
Bayda commented on the third quarter crime stats for Osoyoos, which shows a lot more “green” than “red.”
The report shows that assault causing bodily harm is down 23 per cent, from 22 incidents in the third quarter (Q3) of 2020 to 17 in Q3 of 2021.
Sex offences have decreased 38 per cent (from eight incidents in Q3 2020 to five incidents this quarter.
Uttering threats have decreased 67 per cent (from 12 incidents to four).
Domestic violence decreased 25 per cent (from four cases to three).
Bayda said violent crime in general dropped 38 per cent in Osoyoos (from 50 incidents to 31). The year-to-date reduction is 31 per cent.
Under property crime, auto theft decreased 43 per cent (from seven incidents in Q3 2020 to four this quarter).
Residential break-ins increased 20 per cent, but only jumped from five incidents to six. The year-to-date reduction in home break-ins is nearly 40 per cent.
Break-ins to sheds and outbuildings decreased 25 per cent, comparing this quarter to the same time last year.
Mischief to property increased 46 per cent (from 26 incidents in Q3 of 2020 to 38 incidents this quarter).
Bayda said a lot of residential tenants weren’t getting along with each other or people had a difficult time removing their guests.
Other thefts decreased 21 per cent, while shoplifting decreased 50 per cent (from two incidents to one). The year-to-date reduction in shoplifting is 86 per cent.
While theft from vehicles remained largely the same comparing quarters, it saw a year-to-date increase of 80 per cent (from 40 incidents to 72).
Bayda said this summer’s wildfires affected visitor numbers.
Most people know how busy summer is in Osoyoos, but this year fewer visitors resulted in a considerable drop in calls for service, he pointed out.
For example, there were 1,217 calls in Q3 2020 compared to 895 in Q3 2021.
The top 10 calls for service in Osoyoos this quarter were: traffic incident (88), property (77), abandoned 911 (60), check well-being (40), assist public (39), theft (38), suspicious circumstances (37), alarm (35), assist fire/ambulance (32) and disturbance (30).
Bayda reminded the board that Osoyoos had a double fatality this quarter, several break-ins and a gas station robbery. He noted that someone who allegedly committed a robbery in Okanagan Falls is the same person who committed one in Osoyoos and Oliver.
“This person has been identified and we hope to do an arrest shortly and curb what’s happening.”
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff gave special kudos to Bayda for “coming up with all of the green on the chart” this quarter.
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