Kelowna has seen fewer reported business break-ins so far this year.
After several reported break and enters into businesses in 2023, the RCMP, City of Kelowna, community partners and business owners are working together in an effort to deter crime across the city.
"Over the course of the year the RCMP have worked one-on-one with businesses to educate how to avoid being a victim of a break and enter," said Ryan Watters communications advisor for the Kelowna RCMP.
Using data from reported crime, police say they used predictive analysis to disrupt property crime, reducing reported break and enters by 43 percent so far this year.
Black Press has requested additional information from the RCMP about the data analysis that was used to prevent break-ins in Kelowna, including how much of a reduction in crime has been seen since the implementation of the strategies.
Research into criminal behaviour indicates that the decision to offend or not to offend is more influenced by cues to the perceived risk of being caught rather than by cues to reward or ease of entry, said Watters.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) plays a large role in deterring criminal behaviour and nuisance activity, for businesses and private residences, said Watters. CPTED strategies emphasize enhancing the perceived risk of detection and apprehension, which Watters says is a proven deterrent.
An example of the strategies identified by the RCMP's efforts includes the addition of extra lighting or security cameras, which Watters says have proven to be a deterrent to crime.
The RCMP worked with businesses to implement the strategies and extra security measures over the course of past year.
The Kelowna and Central Okanagan RCMP also works with programs, like the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (REVOII), which is designed to lower business break and enters and crime.
REVOLII is a provincial multi-agency program designed to stop repeat violent offenders in communities across B.C. The program is comprised of Crown prosecutors, probation officers, and correctional supervisors, and includes enhanced investigation and monitoring of repeat violent offenders by police agencies.
Further, the Repeat Offender Management Program (ROMP) was created by the Kelowna Central Okanagan RCMP and is focused on proactive enforcement of repeat non-violent property crime offenders who impact local crime trends.
The RCMP reminds the public "If you see something, say something," and asks that people continue to report criminal activity, including break and enters.
To report a crime, contact the Kelowna Central Okanagan RCMP detachment at 250-762-3300. To remain anonymous contact the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.