By Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Chronicle

Not surprisingly, crime was a hot topic at Wednesday’s all-candidates forum at Frank Venables Theatre.

More than 200 people attended the event sponsored by the Oliver Chronicle and moderated by Veronica Vinge, executive director of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce.

A total of 14 candidates (for mayor, councillor, water councillor and Area C director) delivered their platforms and answered questions from the audience.

The first question was posed by former mayor Pat Hampson, who asked why should citizens be asked to fill the gap left by an RCMP staff shortfall.

Filling the gap

Incumbent Mayor Ron Hovanes said times have changed since 30 years ago, noting society has seen an increase in mental health issues and highly addictive drugs.

“We have to protect our belongings and have to look after each other.”

Mayoral candidate Martin Johansen answers a question about crime and public safety during Wednesday’s all-candidates forum at Frank Venables Theatre. Shown seated with him are incumbent Mayor Ron Hovanes and incumbent councillor Petra Veintimilla. (Lyonel Doherty photo)

Mayoral challenger Martin Johansen said it’s important for citizens to be active in protecting their own community, citing Crime Watch, for example. He noted there is no policing from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., which prompted one member of the audience to say, “hear, hear!”

Johansen said everybody in his neighbourhood has been broken into, adding it’s getting more aggressive out there.

The candidate said he would like to see a coordinated enforcement committee established with stakeholders.

He said people have suggested throwing money at bylaw enforcement and patrols, but . . . “I think we really got to figure out what we’re going to do before we throw our limited resources at a shot in the dark, so to speak.”

“We have to look out for each other”

Incumbent councillor Dave Mattes said he believes in spending more money on bylaw enforcement, noting that good things were done in that regard last year. He also said there should be more funding for the Crime Watch group, and said the Town should assist residents in crime-proofing their properties and possessions.

“We all have to look out for each other. It’s that type of a world nowadays when you can’t depend on the police to do everything because there’s not enough of them.”

Council candidate Dermott Hutton said residents really have to be vigilant by monitoring what’s going on in their neighbourhood. He noted that someone or a group of people targeted homes on his street one night, so he believes the community can do better at crime prevention.

Incumbent councillor Larry Schwartzenberger agreed that the Town needs to vastly increase its bylaw enforcement budget and have its officers and/or security contractors work in conjunction with the RCMP to conduct overnight patrols.

Councillor candidate Aimee Grice said it takes a grassroots effort to fill gaps in law enforcement. She stated council can empower residents by facilitating education on how to better protect themselves.

Incumbent councillor Petra Veintimilla said the Town previously increased its budget to provide enforcement when crime was rampant in the industrial area, and she would continue to support that move.

Incumbent Councillor Maureen Doerr said the Town could hire a security company to patrol problem areas.

She noted that even if Oliver does acquire two additional police officers, there will still be areas without coverage.

“So we need to work together. We need to be a community and look after each other.”

District municipal police force?

Area C candidate Rick Knodel said it’s time to take a serious look at a district municipal police department. He believes joining with other areas would be beneficial in crime prevention. He’s not a supporter of private citizens risking their own safety by monitoring crime.

“We need to start looking at alternatives before citizens start getting hurt, and the only alternative is a private (police) force.”

Area C candidate Randy Toor said criminals know there is no police presence from 2-7 a.m. The former auxiliary police officer agreed with Knodel that it’s risky putting citizens on the street, saying the Town needs more people with authority enforcing the laws.

Surveillance cameras

Hutton said closed-circuit television (CCTV) on the major thoroughfares at night would be beneficial for increased security.

“Having some surveillance out there will alleviate some of the free-for-all that seems to be occurring right now.”

Schwartzenberger said CCTV is part of the answer along with increased bylaw enforcement.

Grice said she would support lobbying the government for long-term solutions, such as drug treatment programs. She suggested polling Oliver residents to see how they want council to deal with crime prevention.

Knodel said people have to stand together as a community and start engaging politicians to increase penalties for prolific offenders.

Johansen said he manages a million dollar security contract with the City of Kelowna with private security working with RCMP. (This contract includes 350-plus security cameras.)

“Random patrols are hit and miss. We’re finding working as an emergent response and the cameras are a key part of that.”

Johansen said merely saying you’re going to increase bylaw enforcement and do random patrols is not a solution. “That’s a guess.”

Public safety

Local resident Michael Petersen said his primary concern in Oliver is public safety, pointing out that he doesn’t feel like he’s being protected in this community.

“You can call 911 in this community, you can call the police, you can call as much as you want. I actually don’t bother calling anymore.”

He asked the candidates if they believe in a district municipality between Area C and the Town (cost sharing for policing), and what they will do to enhance public safety.

Knodel reiterated his support for a district municipal police force.

Toor said he also supports a district model with 24-hour policing.

Water councillor Rick Machial said the RCMP should change their shift patterns.

“You only have to go on Sumac Street any night at two o’clock in the morning and you’ll catch the bad guys.”

Doerr said the Town had engaged people before about a district municipality and the overwhelming response was “no.”

Mattes said he doesn’t support a district municipality because of the costs involved, but he does support district policing and the sharing of resources.

Hovanes said the RCMP has to do a better job of recruiting new officers.

Local farmer Allan Patton said he would like to see the courthouse back in Oliver. All the candidates agreed, even if it was only one day a week.