Property crime continued to be a problem in the Lower Similkameen during 2018.
An annual report from the RCMP shows that break and enter to businesses or other buildings increased significantly over the last year.
In 2018 there were 11 break and enters to businesses, which represents an 83 per cent increase over 2017 when there were six break and enters.
There was also 19 break and enters to others, which might include out buildings, campers, etc. compared to eight the previous year.
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Break and enters to residences were down with 14 being logged in last year compared to 16 the previous year.
Theft from vehicle was slightly down with 14 calls received last year and 16 in 2017.
Twenty-nine stolen vehicle files were reported by police which might include someone’s car being stolen or a stolen car found in the area. Twenty-seven calls of a similar nature were received in 2017.
The total number of calls related to property crime was 210 last year compared to 180 the year before representing a 17 per cent increase.
Violent crime was also on the rise in 2018. Calls involving domestic violence were up 38 per cent with the Keremeos detachment receiving 68 calls compared to 51 in 2017,
Persons committing a violent crime, which would be some sort of assault not involving a romantic partner, was also up with 68 calls received in 2018 up from 51 in 2017.
Calls under the Mental Health Act continue to climb. Seventy-one Mental Health Act classified files were dealt with by the RCMP detachment compared to 65 the pervious year.
The top 10 calls for service at the Keremeos Detachment are as follows: Traffic incident, 186; Abandoned 911, 181; Assist general public, 129; Theft, 96; Disturbance, 78; Suspicious circumstances, 71; Motor vehicle incident, 64; property, 57; alarm, 54, Assist other agency, 50.
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