City and RCMP expand support and invite business feedback on community safety

Kelowna businesses face growing challenges related to vandalism, disorder and increasingly complex social interactions. These issues impact storefronts, staff wellbeing, and day-to-day operations.  The City of Kelowna and the RCMP are working closely together to respond with practical, coordinated solutions. 

“Over the past several months, I have met directly with business owners and employees to hear about the challenges they are facing around public safety,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “Community safety is a top priority for Council, and while we have taken strong action, we know there is more work to do. This business forum and the accompanying online engagement are about bringing people together, listening carefully, and focusing on practical solutions that improve safety today while also addressing the underlying issues impacting our community.”

To help address these concerns, the City and RCMP have expanded several key initiatives designed to improve visibility, responsiveness, and prevention in business districts. These include: 

• Increased RCMP foot patrols provide more on‑the‑ground presence in high‑activity areas, including addressing criminal matters such as theft, break‑ins, and trespass on private property. 
• Increased Bylaw patrols provide added support for issues related to disorder, nuisance activity, and community standards. Examples include addressing unauthorized sheltering in public spaces and promoting compliance with local bylaws 
• Focused interventions at key locations and times target patterns of recurring activity and coordinate efforts with social‑service partners. 
• Launch of CRCL (Crisis Response, Community Led), a mobile team of service providers led by the Canadian Mental Health Association, who support people aged 13+experiencing mental‑health or substance‑use crises, freeing police to focus on crime and community safety. 
• Expansion of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program, so residents and businesses can now request no-charge property audits through the City’s Service Request System.   Over the past five years, CPTED audits have delivered measurable, positive results by reducing crime in areas with moderate to high calls for service through practical recommendations like clear sightlines, improved lighting and strategic landscaping.  
• Launch of the voluntary Business CCTV registry to help the RCMP quickly identify nearby cameras during investigations, reducing the time it takes to follow up on incidents. For businesses who choose to register, participating can help speed up investigations, improve response, and strengthen safety in areas where criminal activity affects customers, staff and visitors.  
• Business Security Enhancement Rebate Program – The program provides financial support to Kelowna businesses looking to enhance their property’s security by taking preventative measures. The program will begin in March, 2026. More program details including how to participate will be available in February.   

These actions are part of a broader, long-term approach to community safety, one that recognizes the need for both immediate support and deeper work on root cause issues. The City continues to collaborate with regional partners in health, housing, and social services to address the underlying factors contributing to safety concerns, while also ensuring businesses have clear channels to share feedback and access support. 

As part of this ongoing work, the City has conducted one‑on‑one interviews with approximately 40  Downtown businesses to identify the key challenges they are facing and invited Kelowna business owners to participate in the Community Safety Business Forum on January 27, 2026. Approximately 300 members of the business community, speakers, and other community members attended the forum which was a dedicated opportunity to learn more about current initiatives, share experiences, and shape future priorities.  

While the Community Safety Business Forum and recent outreach offered valuable insight from many businesses, we know that crime and safety concerns impact workers, residents and visitors as well. We’re inviting people to share their experiences so we can build a more complete picture that will guide the next phase of actions. Take part until February 10 by visiting getinvolved.kelowna.ca  

The City remains committed to working hand-in-hand with the business community to strengthen safety – and sense of safety – through communication and collaboration to ensure that Kelowna’s commercial areas remain safe, prosperous, and vibrant for staff, customers, and visitors. 

Learn more at kelowna.ca/communitysafety