Crime down, roads safer: City releases 2025 annual progress report on Council priorities

March 16, 2026

News Release

Business break-ins are down, traffic injuries are declining, and public safety resources continue to grow as the City of Kelowna releases its 2025 Annual Progress Report on Council Priorities, now available online at council.reporting.kelowna.ca.

The annual report provides a transparent look at how Council’s priorities are translating into real‑world results for residents, tracking what’s working, where challenges remain, and what’s next. Of the 28 performance measures, 24 are on track or stable. Areas requiring continued focus include resident sense of safety, number of people experiencing homelessness, greenhouse gas emissions, and investment in agricultural water services.

“From the moment Council was elected, we committed to being laser focused on the issues that matter most to residents,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “We set clear priorities, established measurable targets, and committed to tracking progress so the community can see exactly where we are making improvements. This report shows encouraging progress in areas like crime reduction and road safety, while also highlighting where we need to stay focused. We know residents are still seeing and feeling the impacts of these challenges in their daily lives, and Council will continue to take action and keep working to make a real difference for our community.”

Council measures progress against six priorities for the 2023–2026 term: Crime & Safety, Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Transportation, Agriculture & Environment, and the Economy. Each priority is supported by clear measures, progress assessments, and next steps, allowing residents to see not just what the City is doing, but whether it’s making a difference.

Safety: property crime down, resources up

Community safety remains a top Council priority, and 2025 data shows encouraging movement in key areas.

Business break and enters declined by six per cent in 2025, while residential break-ins fell 17 per cent compared to 2024.
Auto theft dropped 16 per cent, and theft from vehicles declined 12 per cent, continuing a downward trend that began in 2023.
Kelowna now has 255 RCMP officers authorized by late 2026, up from 220 in 2022, helping public safety resources keep pace with population growth and seasonal visitor demand.
The City expanded bylaw enforcement and fire services, supported by a stable one percent Public Safety Levy.

These results reflect coordinated action through the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction, targeted RCMP enforcement, business focused safety programs, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) audits, and continued advocacy for provincial and federal bail reform and justice system improvements.

The report also acknowledges that resident perceptions of safety remain a challenge, particularly at night and around highly visible social issues. Addressing both crime and the factors that influence how safe people feel remains a key focus of the 2026 City budget.

Transportation: fewer injuries, more enforcement

Progress is also being seen on Kelowna’s roads.

Collisions involving injuries dropped 16 per cent from 2021 to 2023, continuing a multi-year decline.
RCMP traffic enforcement interactions increased by more than 14 per cent, reflecting a renewed focus on road safety, distracted driving, and high risk corridors.
The community-driven SpeedWatch program monitored nearly 24,000 vehicles at 34 locations, issuing warning letters to promote safer driving behaviour.

These efforts support safer travel for everyone, especially people walking and cycling, and align with Council’s commitment to reducing serious injuries and fatalities on Kelowna roads.

Corporate priorities: supporting how the City delivers

In addition to Council priorities, the City publishes a separate progress report on three Corporate priorities that support strong service delivery and long‑term value: Our People: Leadership Everywhere, Transformation, and Customer Experience. This report is available online at corporate.reporting.kelowna.ca.

Together, these priorities focus on building a capable workforce, improving how residents interact with City services, and using data and technology to support better decision‑making across the organization.

For more information on Council priorities, visit kelowna.ca/councilpriorities.