“The level of crime in Penticton is unacceptable. City Council, law enforcement and community groups like Clean Streets Penticton all want to see change and are working hard to make it a reality.
“City Council has made public safety a priority, hiring seven more police officers in the last two years and doubling the number of Community Safety Officers and we’re seeing progress made, with the most recent statistics from the first quarter of 2022 showing a 10 per cent decline in violent crime.
“But we can’t do it alone. We need our partners – the Attorney General, BC Housing and Interior Health – to step up and do their part. The police are doing their job but prolific offenders and the ‘catch and release’ system in place are hampering the City’s efforts. Offenders need to know there are consequences and right now they don’t think there are any and that has to change.”