Kelowna city council is looking at the RCMP quarterly report on Monday outlining crime statistics and improvements since 2020 began.
The report notes a spike in bike thefts early in the year and actions taken to reduce them.
"In late April, the Community Safety Unit commenced deploying our bait bike to combat bike theft. These efforts have resulted in seven thefts of the bait bike and subsequent charge recommendations forwarded to Crown Council."
Additionally, search warrants executed at five local residences located in the Downtown, Rutland and Lower Mission neighborhoods have recovered drugs, firearms and stolen property including bikes.
The new Foot Patrol Team will be expanded to four dedicated officers later this year allowing for seven day a week of coverage.
The report also shows that from March 1st to June 1st, 54 impaired drivers were investigated, 571 tickets were issued and 309 warnings were given.
Police observed an increase in property related crime earlier this year followed by a heavy decline in March.
Superintendent Brent Mundle, who is presenting the report, attributed the trends to the apprehension of a small group of property offenders as well as COVID-19 restrictions.
Mundle added that numbers are currently returning to rates comparable with 2019.
The report highlights that criminality and homelessness are not one and the same.
Mundle said often situations are de-escalated and redirected to the Kelowna Outreach and Support Table, which consists of approximately twelve partner agencies who meet weekly to support individuals who are at immediate risk of crisis.
The Restorative Justice program has seen 31 youth referrals and 53 adult referrals to date in 2020.