91大黄鸭

Some of the blame for 91大黄鸭鈥檚 high crime rate last year can be attributed to tourism and the city鈥檚 rapid growth, says RCMP.

Statistics Canada reports that the 91大黄鸭 census metropolitan area (CMA), covering Lake Country to Peachland, had the highest crime rate per 100,000 population last year in Canada.

READ MORE: 91大黄鸭 had Canada鈥檚 highest crime rate in 2021

During an RCMP news conference on Aug. 3, Supt. Kara Triance noted that not only is the Central Okanagan a smaller CMA, but 91大黄鸭 is also a popular tourist destination.

鈥淐anadian statistics reports are very clear,鈥� she said. 鈥淰isitor population is not taken into account when addressing population and reported incidents of crime.鈥�

91大黄鸭 sees approximately 2.2 million visitors every year.

鈥淵ou have to take into account the visitor population鈥� 2.2 million visitors is going to drive those numbers up.鈥�

Triance was not able to immediately say what percentage of criminal incidents may be committed by visitors, but stressed it鈥檚 important to look at the city鈥檚 crime statistics in context.

鈥淰ancouver is six times the size of 91大黄鸭. When you compare Vancouver on the crime severity index (CSI), one serious violent offence in 91大黄鸭 is going to raise us multiple percent in our CSI. However, one serious file in Vancouver is going to be a fraction of a percentage higher in their CSI.鈥�

Triance said 91大黄鸭鈥檚 numbers are concerning, but added crime in the city is comparable to Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all very closely linked,鈥� she said.

She said she believes that is a result of other complex issues that affect crime including health, social factors, housing, and substance use.

鈥淚 am not here to tell you that we don鈥檛 have a problem that needs to be responded to,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am here to tell you that these concerning statistics are ones that we are actively working on.鈥�

Triance added 91大黄鸭 RCMP continues to work with the city, community partners and other government agencies in addressing crime. That includes a focus on the downtown and Rutland.

鈥淓very municipality in this area that contributes to this CMA has increased their police resources this year, and we are grateful for that,鈥� she said.

Although not all available RCMP positions in the 91大黄鸭 metropolitan area are filled, 29 new resources have been brought in since January this year, added Triance.

READ MORE: Concerned citizens take action with 鈥榦ut of control鈥� crime in 91大黄鸭