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By Michael Reeve

CRIME STATS

‘I refute the fact that Kamloops is not a safe community;’ Kamloops’ top cop provides insight on crime ranking

Jul 29, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — New numbers released last week by statistics Canada show Kamloops had the highest crime rate, reported in any census metropolitan area in the country.

The numbers are the first crime stats released since the Kamloops population increased to more than 100,000, leading the city to be ranked alongside the likes of Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. While the number one spot doesn’t paint a pretty picture of Kamloops, the city’s top cop refutes the city is an unsafe place noting overall crime dropped 2 per cent.

“With the CSI (Crime Severity Index) scoring right now we are placed lower on the index when compared to other communities outside of the 100,000 population. We are utilizing proactive measures to address these crimes, we have increased a number of strategies and our violent person crimes have actually decreased,” said Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley.

Violent crimes in Kamloops dropped 3.8 per cent in 2023.

Supt. Pelley highlighted that the detachment is focused on initiative to tackle repeat violent offenders, and the small group of criminal responsible for a large quantity of police files in the city. The biggest drivers to the crime severity index for Kamloops were break and enters, mischief, fraud, theft from vehicles, and shoplifting.

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“Kamloops is a very safe community, we are going to continue to capitalize on our successes of reducing violent crime as well as continue to focus on those offenders that are responsible for crimes in our community,” said Pelley. “We have strategic plans, our local leadership has increased resourcing, has increased some of the initiatives that we work hand-in-hand with the community and we are address this as we continue to move forward. I refute the fact that Kamloops is not a safe community, it is a very safe community and we are going to make it safer.”