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Auto theft up 48% in Penticton: RCMP

Mounties received fewer overall calls for service compared to the first quarter of 2021
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Penticton RCMP Supt. Brian Hunter will present a quarterly crime update to city council on Tuesday, May 3. ( Western News file phot)

Auto theft is up by almost 50 per cent in Penticton.

Overall property crime in the Peach City has decreased in the first quarter of 2022, compared to this time in 2021, but auto theft is up by 48 per cent, according to a police report coming to city council.

From January to March of this year, RCMP has received seven per cent fewer calls for service in comparison to the first three months of 2021.

Along with auto theft, bicycle theft, business-related break and enters and shoplifting were among the property crimes to see increases in the year’s first quarterly police report.

Still, overall property crime is down by five per cent thanks to fewer calls for mischief, fraud and residential break and enters.

Violent crime, meanwhile, decreased by a total of 10 per cent, compared to the same three-month period in 2021.

Calls for uttering threats saw among the biggest dips in the first quarter of 2022, with RCMP responding to 38 incidents, compared to 72 just one year ago.

Assault and sex offences went down by five and 45 per cent, respectively, in the latest police report.

Penticton RCMP Supt. Brian Hunter will present the quarterly statistics to council during a meeting on May 3.

The report comes days after it was announced that four new RCMP officers had been hired, in response to the city’s 2022 budget.

READ ALSO: New Penticton Mounties and bylaw officers ready to go

Mounties filed 1,613 criminal code cases over the last three months, an eight per cent decrease from the first quarter of 2021.

In its report to council, police say identifying and managing prolific offenders is among policing priorities for the rest of 2022 and into 2023.

Creating a supportive environment for victims of family and sexual violence, as well as working with community partners to provide support for those suffering from homelessness and mental health challenges were also listed as policing objectives.


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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