A number of downtown businesses have been impacted by crime/ Gallery Streetwear

By Vernon Matters Staff

business woes

Downtown crime incidents ‘unacceptable’: Kelowna mayor

Jan 7, 2026 | 4:19 PM

The mayor of Kelowna says it is “unacceptable” that downtown business owners are facing incidents of crime, vandalism, and disorder affecting their staff and customers.

Tom Dyas wrote in his monthly column Wednesday, the City is taking immediate steps to strengthen coordinated safety and enforcement efforts in the urban centres.

In the weeks ahead, Dyas said a mobile, community-based crisis response service for people experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis will be launched in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

That is expected to free up police officers to focus on crime and safety-related calls.

In his column Dyas said no one should feel unsafe opening their business, going to work, or spending time in our city’s core. He said he’d heard directly from some downtown business owners who had been directly impacted by recent crime.

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He added while crime has declined statistically over the past several years, “…improvements do not always reflect what is being experienced on the ground — and that is where our focus must remain.”

He added municipalities were never designed or given the tools to manage the impacts chronic repeat crime and untreated mental health and addictions on our streets.

His column stated, in part, that he will host a business community forum on public safety in early February.

“This forum will provide an opportunity to hear directly from business owners, better understand their concerns, and work together on both immediate local solutions and long term strategies.

“While there is important work we can and must do locally, we also recognize these challenges are not unique to Kelowna. In September, I stood on the steps of the B.C. Legislature alongside mayors from across the province who are experiencing these same pressures in their communities.”