Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: More action needed to get crime under control

Oct 31, 2023 | 5:30 AM

IN FACT, this headline is only partially correct.

Despite the fact that there is a decrease in most categories of crime, the perception remains that Kamloops is a crime-ridden city. Perhaps that is because the one category that has risen sharply year over year is that of assault and assault with a deadly weapon. That category has increased by 50 percent from the second quarter in 2022 to the same quarter this year.

Fires have also been an issue, with fires lit up against the walls of a downtown church, a vehicle torched for the second time in the parking lot of the mayor’s car dealership, dumpster fires and grass fires. The list goes on.

And these are the crimes that get the most media attention. So combine that with a homeowner who hears that a neighbour’s car was broken into or stolen, vehicles were vandalized, and the appearance is that we live in a danger zone.

And the police are doing their best, but it’s just not enough. It’s largely a resources issue and there aren’t enough resources to make things happen.

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A couple of things could be done. You can’t find witnesses to crimes when you put out a news release several days after the fact. Not helpful, but those are the rules.

And the RCMP and the city’s Community Safety Committee could be a lot more proactive in promoting the good things that are happening. There are pictures released from time to time showing the RCMP, fire department and other front-line defenders interacting with the community but we could do so much more. The Community Safety Committee, which holds far too few meetings a year, is working on setting up a situation table, a project that could help in addressing many of the things that create problems in our community, from crime to addiction to homelessness. But its publicity value is a big fat zero. This committee needs to do more. And quickly.

The tortoise may eventually win the race, but I don’t think we can wait that long.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s Ine Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.