Violent crime, domestic violence up in Osoyoos

An RCMP report indicates that violent crime, domestic violence and property crime are up in Osoyoos compared to the first quarter of 2017.

This was outlined in Superintendent Ted de Jager’s quarterly report that he presented to the regional district on Thursday. The report specifically refers to statistics for January to March 2018.

De Jager said more than 60 per cent of their police calls for service do not have a solution that can be implemented by police action (such as charges).

“Imagine if we could house the homeless and release the addictions of many people you see wandering the streets.”

The superintendent said there is a common misconception that the homeless and street people commit most of the crime in the region.

“While it is true that many of our social concerns are reflected in this group, the reality of crime is that the majority is committed by prolific offenders, most of whom are not homeless at all.”

Overall, violent crime and property crime are down significantly in the region, de Jager said. He noted the majority of violent crime is committed by an offender known to the victim.

He pointed out that theft from auto is still the single highest crime type over last year, and it’s growing.

“What will it take to stop this since the majority of this crime occurs when valuables are left in plain view inside unlocked vehicles?”

De Jager said people have the power to stop this crime in its tracks.

Speaking about Osoyoos, the superintendent said violent crime is up 25 per cent this quarter (10 incidents) compared to the first quarter of 2017 (eight incidents).

Domestic violence is up 50 per cent, from two incidents to three. And property crime is up nearly 20 per cent (from 58 incidents to 69).

Auto theft in Osoyoos is down 83 per cent, from six incidents in the first quarter of 2017 to one incident this quarter.

Residential break-ins are up 200 per cent, from two incidents to six. Other break-ins (outbuildings, etc.) are up 500 per cent, from two incidents to 12).

De Jager mentioned some major investigations in the region, including a suspicious report of a vehicle in the hills above the Osoyoos Golf Course. Members attended and located a male from Summerland and a female from Penticton who were stuck in deep mud.

De Jager said the vehicle was owned by an Osoyoos resident who is known to associate with active property offenders.

“Osoyoos detachment continues to monitor this group . . . who are believed to be responsible for an increase in property crime in the area.”

During the month of March, Osoyoos detachment responded to several calls of break-ins and thefts from recreational vehicles on Lakeshore Drive. In one instance, the suspect entered a unit while the owners were sleeping and stole a wallet as well as the owner’s vehicle, de Jager said.

“A great deal of resources and time was spent investigating these occurrences, and in early April a 51-year-old male was arrested.”

De Jager noted this individual was arrested in Osoyoos before and jailed for similar offences.

In February, two Osoyoos members responded quickly to the Bridesville area after receiving reports of a distraught male. Members located the 53-year-old man who was on Canyon Bridge with intentions to jump.

“They were able to safely take the male into custody and turn him over to medical professionals. The male thanked the members for saving his life,” de Jager said.

In another case, an Osoyoos member working a tip attended a residence and apprehended a non-Canadian female who had been avoiding immigration authorities since 2012. The 56-year-old female was found hiding in the residence and later turned over to border officials.

Using a bit of science and technology, police responded to a break-in at a winery in Naramata. Officers obtained footwear impressions that were linked to several break-ins in Penticton and Summerland. The impressions were then linked to the footwear of a man in custody, who admitted to the crimes.

After a lengthy hunt for a stolen vehicle in Penticton, members located it stuck in the snow in a driveway on Apex Road. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed the occupant put a revolver to her head.

“Investigators engaged the driver in conversation and negotiated with her to drop the gun and exit the vehicle,” de Jager said.

The driver exited but still had the firearm in her hand. However, further negotiation resulted in her throwing the firearm aside and being safely taken into custody.

De Jager told the tale of one driver who was nabbed after 30 calls from the public regarding his excessive speed. He was reported driving faster than 160 km/h, tailgating and cutting people off. But it wasn’t long before police joined forces to stop him in his tracks and impound his vehicle.

De Jager reported another incident where police dog Harro and his handler searched in deep snow for three hours before locating a missing man who could have succumbed to hypothermia. Unfortunately, the police dog team had a three-hour return trip home.

“Harro appreciated the deep snow more than his snowshoe-wearing partner.”

In closing, De Jager reported that Cst. James Grandy, who used to work in Oliver, has begun his duties reaching out to mental health clients.

This relatively new program is tasked with developing local partnerships dealing with mental health, addictions and homelessness.

LYONEL DOHERTY

Special to the Times