While policing statistics showed increased crime activity in most parts of the South Okanagan and Similkameen, the figures for Keremeos showed a different picture.
The statistics reported by the RCMP to the Regional District showed decreases in many crime categories in Keremeos during the second quarter of 2021.
The few increases in their stats, for property crime, auto thefts and break and enter other, according to Cpl. Chad Parsons head of the Keremeos detachment, was likely due to at least a single prolific offender.
“We have been able to advance investigations and obtain arrest warrants and that individual is now in custody and not causing issues for the community at the moment,” said Parsons.
The number of calls for service decreased by six per cent when compared with the second quarter of 2020. From April to June, 2021, police in Keremeos received 364 calls for service, down from 387 in the same period a year earlier.
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The number of violent crimes fell by 24 per cent during this period. Assaults dropped by seven per cent, with 13 cases reported, down from 14 a year earlier. Domestic violence cases fell by 29 per cent, from seven in the second quarter of 2020 to five in the second quarter of 2021.
Property crime figures dropped by 41 per cent.
The number of thefts from vehicles fell by 59 per cent, from 17 to seven. Fraud cases dropped by 78 per cent, from nine cases in the second quarter of 2020 to just two in the second quarter of 2021.
The number of cases of mischief to property fell by 43 per cent, with 12 reported during the second quarter of this year. During the same period one year earlier, 21 cases had been reported.
One category where Keremeos saw figures increase was in auto thefts, where the number of cases doubled. There were eight auto thefts reported during the second quarter of this year, up from four during the same period a year earlier.
Since the year began, Keremeos has had 14 auto thefts reported, while only seven were reported during the first half of 2020.
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