New recruits are on the way for the City’s Bylaw enforcement team and Penticton RCMP, adding more Bylaw street patrols and bolstering the RCMP’s ability to proactively target prolific offenders.
This was among the topics of discussion at this month’s Safety & Security Advisory Committee meeting, in which committee members were briefed by Bylaw and the RCMP about their goals to strengthen community safety throughout 2022.
The RCMP is recruiting three new police officers, bringing the total increase in officers between 2021 to 2022 to seven.
“Those spots are being filled, and with any luck, we’ll see an increased police presence throughout the city, as well as a more robust prolific offender team,” said Penticton RCMP Staff-Sgt., Bob Vatamaniuck.
In addition, the City has kicked off a recruitment process for six new members of the Bylaw enforcement team, improving the City’s ability to respond to calls and complaints. This will include one bylaw intake administrator, responsible for the front desk, as well as one bylaw enforcement officer and four community safety bylaw officers.
“With these new positions, we’ll have a total of eight community safety officers, so we’ll be able to do our checks in the mornings, then into the evening hours, also into the laneways and hard-to-get areas,” Bylaw Services Manager Tina Mercier told the committee.
How to Report a Crime or Incident
When it comes to reporting a crime or incident, it can be confusing to know whom to call, pointed out two members of the Safety & Security Advisory Committee.
If you see an issue on a city street, for example, do you report it to the RCMP or Bylaw? And what is considered a 911 emergency? The committee members asked the group for clarification.
“The message to convey is if you fear for your safety, call 911 and talk to a professional who can make an assessment,” said Staff-Sgt. Vatamaniuck.
Blake Laven, the City’s Director of Development Services, pointed out that the City has created a new webpage that provides useful information of who to contact if you see an issue. Visit this page at penticton.ca/saysomething
In addition, Mercier, of City Bylaw, added that signage has been posted throughout the community in high-visible areas, providing contact details about how to report an incident.
When to Call RCMP
If your situation is an emergency requiring immediate response, dial 911. For non-emergency incidents involving a crime, call the RCMP at 250-492-4300 or use their Online Crime Reporting system.
When to Call Bylaw Services
Do you have a noisy neighbour? Is a barking dog keeping you up all night? Would you like to make a complaint about a traffic or snow removal issue? These are all examples of issues that should be reported to the City's Bylaw Services department or report the issue online.
Use this helpful chart for some examples of who to call.
In addition, the committee heard how the Penticton Fire Department is in the process of recruiting additional firefighters. The goal is to staff at least four firefighters on each engine 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“We had over 300 applicants apply for the positions and we received some of the best candidates across Canada. We have some pretty incredible recruits,” said Larry Watkinson, Penticton Fire Chief.
About the Safety and Security Advisory Committee
The Safety and Security Advisory Committee is made up of nine voting members appointed by City Council for a term ending Dec. 31, 2022. The current committee members include Matt Taylor (chair), Deirdre Riley (vice chair), Adam Power, Cheryl Watts, Jill Pascoe, Daryl Clarke, Lynn Allin and Nicolette Rodriguez. The Council liaisons include Mayor John Vassilaki and Councillor Katie Robinson.
The committee’s mandate is to make recommendations to Council on all matters referred to them, including providing recommendations on public safety and crime prevention initiatives. They recommend actions, education and marketing initiatives that promote increased public awareness and participation in public safety in the community.
If you’re interested in learning more about applying to become a committee member, visit our Join a Council Committee page. To read more updates from behind the scenes, go to Committee Updates.