Emergency contacts & public safety
Emergency & safety contacts
Keep the following contact information on hand in case an emergency arises, you need to report a crime, bylaw violation or safety concern, or need to safely dispose of a needle.
When there is: | Call: |
|---|---|
| An emergency | 911 for police, fire & ambulance |
| Non-emergency reporting or general inquiries | 250-762-3300 for the Kelowna RCMP |
| Safe needle disposal in public spaces or outside private residences | Contact the Parks Department (250-717-2757) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact the Fire Department (250-469-8801, needle collection option) after hours (non-emergency) |
| A bylaw issue | 250-469-8686 for Bylaw Services |
| Graffiti | 250-469-8600 (option 6) for the graffiti hotline |
Our commitment to addressing safety concerns
We recognize there are issues in our community and we’re doing what we can as a city to address these challenges. We’re not alone in this situation, as similar challenges are being faced by municipalities throughout B.C. and across Canada. In Fall 2020, the City launched development of a Community Safety Plan that form the basis of a multi-pronged, systems-based approach improve community safety in Kelowna, which includes improving residents’ sense of safety.
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We continue to focus on the enforcement of criminal activity, increasing street cleaning/addressing litter issues and connecting people who need help with support services. We work closely with numerous partners, including the Kelowna RCMP, Downtown Kelowna Association and Interior Health to balance the security needs of all residents in our community. This fact sheet provides an overview of the actions we have taken alongside some of our partners to ensure Kelowna remains a vibrant, clean and safe place to live and visit.
- City Council approved an ongoing one per cent Community Safety Levy in 2023. The 2023 budget provides funding for six new RCMP officers, four Bylaw Services officers, two Police Services support staff and one Community Safety Services employee.
- We are developing bike theft prevention initiatives, actions to reduce business break & enters and thefts, and proposing a Safety Taskforce. A Taskforce would enable Council to better hear from and work with diverse voices within our community, including the business community, to increase safety and sense of safety.
- The RCMP contract budget allows for 228 officers in 2023 compared to 179 in 2016, a 27 per cent increase.
- There are 100 approved Police Services support employees in 2023 compared to 65 in 2016, a 54 per cent increase.
- There are 28 approved Bylaw Services positions in 2023 compared to 20 in 2016, a 40 per cent increase.
- Our staff conduct park and beach sweeps daily to keep them as clean and free of debris as possible
- Four to eight daily checks take place (includes clean-up, landscaping, watering and general maintenance) of downtown parks and beaches (Stuart Park, City Park, Waterfront Park, Tugboat Bay) depending on the season
- Two park ambassadors monitor parks and engage with visitors throughout the summer months
- The downtown core (Richter to Abbott and Hwy 97 to Knox Mountain) is swept twice a week in addition to a Spring street sweep (approx. March to mid-May, weather dependent). Pressure washing takes place when necessary.
- Inspections take place daily
- Two of our staff members work maintenance over the weekend and additional staff are provided for clean-up after special events
- We have a vacuum curb/gutter sweeper that operates every second working day, cleaning in the early morning
The majority of CCTV units are in the downtown area, primarily in City parkades. Since CCTV units have been installed, our private security contractor Commissionaires has noted that they have the increased ability to intercept individuals prior to a disturbance/illegal activity taking place, particularly within the parkades
Through the CCTV registry pilot program, businesses in the DKA boundaries can voluntarily register their security camera locations and contact information with us through a secure database. This will provide Kelowna RCMP with quicker access to potential sources of video evidence.
