The front window of Gallery Streetwear was smashed in a break-in recently/Facebook

By Vernon Matters Staff

more crime

‘Downtown Kelowna heading for serious decline’: frustrated business owner

Jan 6, 2026 | 3:21 PM

Another Kelowna downtown business owner is sharing their concerns about crime.

Todd Daniels with Gallery Streetwear has posted video of his front windows smashed and he said thousands of dollars of product was damaged or put at risk in the recent break in.

He said businesses throughout the downtown core have been hit, some repeatedy, and many are operating with constant fear.

He said he’s not seeking sympathy but wants accountability, collaboration, and immediate action to deal with the crime.

“What’s happening in downtown Kelowna is not isolated, and it’s not acceptable, ” he said on social media. “Gallery Streetwear was recently broken into, but we are far from alone. Businesses throughout the downtown core have been hit — some repeatedly — and many more are operating with constant fear.

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“This isn’t just about broken windows or stolen product. It’s about staff safety, public safety, and the future of our downtown community,” he wrote.

His statement continued:

Two weeks ago, one of our staff members was bear sprayed outside the shop for no reason. No one should feel unsafe going to work, shopping downtown, or simply walking these streets.

Small businesses are already under extreme pressure — high rents, reduced foot traffic, rising costs — and now increasing crime and insurance costs are being added on top.

As it stands, downtown Kelowna is heading toward serious decline. When the street level feels unsafe or neglected, businesses leave, residents follow, and both commercial and residential value collapse.

We’re not asking for sympathy.

We’re asking for accountability, collaboration, and immediate action.

We invite everyone with a stake in downtown — businesses, landlords, developers, and the city — to come together to work on real solutions now.

Public Disorder project underway

A report last year showed 15 people were responsible for 1,335 police files in 2024 alone.

That has led to the province’s Chronic Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative (C-POII) which is designed to address ongoing public safety concerns by targeting, monitoring, and addressing key repeat offenders.

In Kelowna, five specific individuals have been identified as being responsible for persistent disorder, theft, and vandalism.

The aim is to enhance police surveillance, intelligence gathering, and linking offenders to support services with the goal of breaking the cycle of offending.