After three months of the Car 40 program in Penticton, benefits are already being seen according to the local RCMP.
The program, officially the Mobile Integrated Crisis Team (ICRT), pairs up a medical professional with a police officer to respond to mental health crisis calls and to do outreach in the community.
“Although the ICRT has only been up and running for three months, the initial reports have given us reason to believe it is a complete success,” wrote RCMP Supt. Beth McAndie in her report to Penticton council.
The report breaks down the quarterly crime statistics for the city, and for the first three months of 2023, it shows a drop in property crime overall of 23 per cent.
In particular, auto-thefts were down slightly from 40 cases in the first three months of 2023 to 38 over the same months in 2024, mischief to property was down from 462 to 260 cases over the same period, and thefts from vehicles were down from 110 to 46.
However, not all property crimes went down in the first quarter. The number of reported bike thefts, break-and-enters and shoplifting all increased in the first three months of 2024 compared to 2023.
The break-and-enter statistics were influenced by a prolific offender, although the report does not state how many he was involved in, only that a series of safes were stolen from fast food businesses before his arrest.
“In contrast, other break-and-enters primarily targeted sheds and storage areas, with tools being the most commonly stolen items,” wrote McAndie.
In addition to retooling the RCMP’s repeat offender management program to have more data-driven responses, the detachment is working with local establishments and hotels to bring in a pilot of the Inadmissible Patrons Program.
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An Inadmissable Person, according to the RCMP, is defined as a person whose lifestyle, associations and/or activities pose a risk to public safety, either directly or from third parties. This includes people who are involved with or associated with organized crime, gangs, and the drug trade, or who have a history of violent or firearm offences.
While property crime was down in Penticton, violent crime was up slightly overall, by two per cent, with drops in the number of assaults from 107 in 2023 to 100 in 2024 over the first three months, and a drop in domestic violence cases from 45 to 25 over the same period.
Sexual offences and uttering threats both saw increases, with the former being attributed in part to more victims of sexual violence being willing to come forward.
Other sexual offences that were recorded over the first three months included cases involving child sexual abuse material, the distribution of intimate images without consent, indecent exposure, luring children online and sexual interference.
The report also notes the provincial government has indicated it will ask Health Canada to recriminalize the use of drugs in public places, which is in line with the City of Penticton’s Safe Public Spaces Bylaw. Staff will work with RCMP on any needed operational changes in anticipation of the request being granted.
The report is set to be presented to city council on May 7 at their regular council meeting.