Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
Business owners in Oliver may be happy to know that shoplifting is down in Canada’s Wine Capital.
According to the latest RCMP statistics, shoplifting is down 83 per cent (from six incidents in the second quarter of 2020 to one incident this quarter).
However, general theft is up 83 per cent (from 12 incidents in Q2 2020 to 22 incidents in Q2 2021).
These statistics are highlighted in the RCMP’s quarterly report (April-June 2021) presented to the regional district on August 19.
In total, violent crime in Oliver is up 14 per cent from Q2 2020 – from 51 incidents to 58. Violent crime in the Okanagan Correctional Centre is up six per cent (from 18 incidents in Q2 2020 to 19 incidents this quarter).
Domestic violence in Oliver is down 11 per cent, while sex offences are up from three cases in Q2 2020 to four cases this quarter.
Assault causing bodily harm is down 14 per cent – from 35 cases to 30.
Under property crime, auto theft is up 25 per cent (from 12 incidents to 15), while business break-ins are down 33 per cent (there were three incidents in the second quarter of 2020 compared to two incidents this quarter).
Once again, Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth is reminding people to lock their car doors and never leave valuables, especially wallets with credit cards, inside vehicles. Besides the grief that a theft can cause, these incidents can lead to a significant increase in crime statistics, he pointed out.
Speaking of statistics, Wrigglesworth stated that a difference of one or two incidents can really impact percentages (and make the total appear quite large or alarming).
The officer said people must be diligent in not giving thieves the opportunity to ply their trade.
(File photo)
Residential break-ins stayed at zero per cent (one incident in Q2 2020 and one incident this quarter). Break and enter involving sheds and outbuildings decreased 71 per cent (from seven incidents to two).
Mischief to property is down 11 per cent with 45 incidents reported in Q2 2020 compared to 40 this quarter.
Theft from vehicle is up 36 per cent (11 to 15), while fraud is also up 36 per cent.
In total, property crime in Oliver is up 13 per cent. Overall, Crime Code files are up six per cent (from 212 in Q2 2020 to 224 this quarter).
The top 10 calls for service in Oliver this quarter were: traffic incident (89), alarm (72), assist fire/ambulance (64), theft (42), check wellbeing (41), assault (36), disturbance (36), abandoned 911 (29), suspicious circumstances (25), and unwanted person (24).
Priorities in town continue to focus on police visibility, road safety, employee wellness and property crime reduction.
Wrigglesworth said his members really picked up enforcement in April, May and June of this year. He noted that officers issued 174 violation tickets for moving infractions such as speeding and cell phone use.
The commander said they are focusing on Tucelnuit Drive, a problem area for speeding that has been the subject of many complaints.
He noted the detachment is working with Speed Watch volunteers to address the problem. He specifically commended volunteer Ian Gibson for putting in countless volunteer hours.
“Generally, from what I’m seeing, people are obeying the rules of the road,” Wrigglesworth said.
The commander noted that he’s trying to “walk the beat” more to increase his visibility in the community. He said this gives him an opportunity to talk to people.
At Thursday’s RDOS meeting, Wrigglesworth mentioned some changes in the transient population at Loose Bay Campground north of town. He said the fires may have moved some transients out of their “squatting” areas, and now police are seeing a “criminal element” moving into Loose Bay.
Wrigglesworth said, as part of their annual performance plan, that officers continue to work on court-ordered curfew checks that keep people accountable for their actions.
