RCMP Superintendent Report Shows Busy 2017.

The first three months of this year show a rising trend for calls for service by The Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP.

Superintendent Jim McNamara says in his quarterly report that service calls from January 1st are up by six and a half per cent.

Property crime from January 1st to March 31st was up by just over 5 per cent from the same period last year.

Break-ins and thefts from vehicles tended to carry the heaviest load for investigators.

However, overall criminal code offences were down 7.39 per cent.

On the roads, 101 drivers were found to be impaired from January 1st to March 31st.

Eighty-five of them in Vernon and Coldstream.

Sixteen were stopped by North Okanagan rural officers.

Distracted driving continues to be an issue with 42 charged in the Vernon and Coldstream areas and four on rural roads.

The report also highlights a number of cases including the Dustin Rogers homicide in March and the continuing investigation into the discovery of a drug lab on Silver Star Road.

As well, a Domestic Violence Unit officer successfully concluded a two month investigation that led to the apprehension of a 44 year old man with 20 outstanding warrants from BC and another province.

The officer worked with RCMP detachments in the North District to locate and arrest the man.

He is currently in custody facing a multitude of charges.

In March the Detachment’s senior management team facilitated a meeting of stakeholders and partner agencies.

Those in attendance were provided an update on the initiatives and measures implemented in the 2016 – 2019 Vernon/North Okanagan Strategic Plan.

Superintendent McNamara says that meeting firmed up the commitment detachment officers have to remain committed to priorities of Crime Reduction, Communication and Road Safety for the 2017 – 2018.