Media advisory

2024 Crime Severity Index: Kelowna RCMP reports progress and ongoing challenges

July 22, 2025 - Kelowna, British Columbia
From: Kelowna RCMP

Content

July 22, 2025

Statistics Canada released the 2024 Crime Severity Index (CSI) data today. The CSI is a national tool used to measure the relative seriousness of police-reported crime across Canada. While it provides valuable insight, it is important to note that the CSI is not the only measure of crime trends in our community.

We are committed to providing accurate and transparent reporting publicly and to City Council Our criminal intelligence and data analysis teams continuously monitor crime trends and guide our operational responses. This allows us to implement targeted tactics that reduce crime and focus our resources where they are needed most, to enhance community safety.

The latest CSI report ranks Kelowna Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) which includes Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna and Peachland, as the 5^th among the select group of 42 CMA’s nationally, compared to 7th place in 2023.  Despite this shift in ranking, Kelowna CMA experienced an overall decrease in crime of 8.78%, with violent crime decreasing 1.96 % and non-violent crime decreasing 11.6%. The CSI for the City of Kelowna saw decreases in all categories. There was an overall decrease of 10.85%, with a decrease in violent crime of 8.64 % and a decrease in non-violent crime of 11.6%.

“This data tells a more complex story," said Inspector Chris Goebel, Acting Officer in Charge. “While our CSI ranking has changed, the actual number of reported crimes has gone down. This may reflect a range of factors, and we recognize that not all incidents are reported. We remain committed to targeted enforcement, proactive engagement, prevention and building trust with the community as we work together to enhance public safety.”

Our ongoing efforts to address crime include:

• Continued participation in the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (Provincial ReVOII program),
• The Repeat Offender Management Program, targeting repeat property offenders,
• Expansion of the Youth Officer Program, with increased engagement and support for youth,
• The Recurrent Offence Crime Team, focused on chronic shoplifters, and
• Ongoing collaboration with the City of Kelowna Community Safety Services Branch.

“Our approach is rooted in prevention, intelligence, and partnership,” said Inspector Goebel. “By focusing on the most persistent offenders, leveraging data to guide deployment, and strengthening collaboration with community organizations, health services, and social supports, we are making smarter, more targeted decisions. These efforts are helping to drive measurable reductions in crime and improve overall community safety.”

Through this, we remain committed to:

• Targeted enforcement,
• Ongoing, transparent reporting,
• Data-driven crime prevention,
• Strengthening community partnerships,
• Supporting vulnerable populations through collaboration, and
• Enhancing public trust through engagement, visibility and accountability.

Our focus is clear: Policing for Greater Impact.

Released by:

Cpl. Allison Konsmo – Media Relations Officer

Kelowna RCMP

1190 Richter St

Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K7

Office: 250-762-3300

Proxy e-mail: E_kelowna_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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