Mayor Tom Dyas/City of Kelowna

By Vernon Matters Staff

immediate action

Mayor promises to speed up help for business amid crime and social disorder

Jan 28, 2026 | 4:21 PM

The mayor of Kelowna says the City is expediting two actions as part of his Task Force on Crime Prevention.

Tom Dyas was speaking after Tuesday night’s Community Safety Business Forum attended by over 200 Kelowna business owners who pressed leaders for action on crime and street disorder.

Dyas said residents and businesses can now request no-charge property audits to make them safer, and the launch of the voluntary Business CCTV Registry to help the RCMP quickly identify nearby cameras during investigations.

He said the City will keep acting locally and push for the systemic changes needed to address repeat offending, court capacity, and access to treatment and care.

In a statement Dyas said, in part, “we will keep listening to our community and working with our partners to deliver immediate, on-the-ground actions that help businesses operate, support their staff, and serve their customers.”

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Details of the two expedited actions are as follows:

• Expansion of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program, so residents and businesses can now request no-charge property audits through the City’s Service Request System. Over the past five years, CPTED audits have delivered measurable, positive results by reducing crime in areas with moderate to high calls for service through practical recommendations like clear sightlines, improved lighting and strategic landscaping.
• Launch of the voluntary Business CCTV Registry to help the RCMP quickly identify nearby cameras during investigations, reducing the time it takes to follow up on incidents in the neighbourhood. For businesses who choose to register, participating can help speed up investigations, improve response, and strengthen safety in areas where criminal activity affects customers, staff and visitors.