Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Pete McIntyre
More bylaw officers

New season brings added safety and security downtown

May 4, 2020 | 5:10 AM

The City of Vernon starts its seasonal enforcement campaign this week with extra bylaw officers.

The Downtown Vernon Association says private security is also being provided for the evening hours.

“The City of Vernon’s commitment to the safety and security of downtown will see additional seasonal resources through a dedicated team of two additional bylaw officers for the BIAs [business improvement areas] and the provision of third-party private security for the evening hours,” stated an email from the DVA to members.

“The DVA thanks the city for these efforts and we look forward to the positive impacts that this could make in our neighbourhood!,” said the email.

The business group is reminding its members to report any safety complaints they have, after files to bylaws last year dropped by more than 200 from the year before within their boundaries.

Concept Plan
City council endorses passive park plan for Kin Race Track lands
17h ago
Creek Naturalization
Vernon Creek Naturalization project completed
23h ago
12 hectare blaze
Wildfire near Chase controlled
Apr 26, 2026

The DVA says 1,235 files were generated in 2019, compared to 1,494 in 2018, related “to the movement of the street entrenched to the parks by RCMP/Bylaw compliance.

The report said, of the files generated last year, only 41 were from public complaints, with the remainder generated by bylaw officers, city employees and RCMP.

“Please remember that if you see something, say something – report, report, report! Only by working together with our enforcement services and city employees, will we be able to address areas of security concerns and continue to improve the safety and security of our community,” said the DVA email.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

Ride Don't Hide
Registration open for mental health cycling event
People will be strapping on their helmets and hitting the road on their bikes in support of youth mental health.The Vernon and District branch of the Canada Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon) will hold its Ride Don't Hide event June 7.It will see participating riders cycle one of five routes spanning four to 50 ki...
12h ago
Read More
Conservation
Stage 2 water restrictions in West K
Water restrictions remain in place for West Kelowna because of the low snowpack, which has already melted off in most of the watershed, according to officials.Stage 2 regulations mean even-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Sundays.Automatic sprinkler ...
12h ago
Read More
Advocacy
Local atheist group call for Census action
A local organization is calling on the public to formally report if they are not religious in the upcoming 2026 Census.The Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists Association (KASHA), is launching a national campaign urging Canadians to accurately report "no religion".The Census form asks for respondents to ...
13h ago
Read More
Healthcare Fundraiser
Smile Cookie campaign supporting neonatal care at Vernon's hospital
Tim Hortons' annual fundraiser is going to support infant care at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.From April 27 to May 3, proceeds from the sale of Smile Cookies at the five Tim Hortons locations in Vernon and Lumby will go towards the purchase of a Giraffe for the local hospital.The Giraffe is a specialized piece of neonatal ...
16h ago
Read More
Concept Plan
City council endorses passive park plan for Kin Race Track lands
Plans are moving ahead to turn the green space adjacent to Vernon's new recreation centre into a passive park.At the regular meeting Monday, April 27, Vernon City Council received a report on a concept plan for the Kin Race Track Lands.The plan was developed through comments from council and the public, and also took i...
17h ago
Read More
Evaluation of Public Reviews
Vernon's casino considered one of the luckier betting spots in B.C.
A study of public reviews has found Lake City Casino is one of the more lucky betting spots in B.C.Casinos.com searched through TripAdvisor reviews of casinos in B.C., searching for keywords such as "lucky," "loss," "won," and "jackpot".Of the 17 casinos evaluated this way, the s...
17h ago
Read More
Regional Meeting
Kelowna council to join regional leaders in Revelstoke
Kelowna's elected officials, along with those from across the Southern Interior, are gathering in Revelstoke this week for a major regional convention focused on local government priorities.The Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention runs from April 29 to May 2, bringing together delegates fro...
18h ago
Read More
Significant Bust
Two arrested after major cash, drug, firearm seizure in Kelowna
Two men are facing potential charges after Kelowna RCMP say a coordinated operation uncovered a significant cache of illicit drugs, firearms and cash earlier this month.The RCMP Crime Reduction Unit executed search warrants at multiple residences on April 15, with assistance from the Southeast District Emergency Respon...
18h ago
Read More
Early Morning Blaze
Truck fire in Kelowna parkade deemed suspicious
A fire inside an underground parkade at a Kelowna apartment building is being treated as suspicious after firefighters discovered a burning vehicle early Thursday.Kelowna Fire Department crews were called to The Rise at 540 Dougall Road following an alarm. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke pushing through the...
19h ago
Read More

What Matters

Concept Plan
City council endorses passive park plan for Kin Race Track lands
17h ago
Creek Naturalization
Vernon Creek Naturalization project completed
23h ago
12 hectare blaze
Wildfire near Chase controlled
Apr 26, 2026
Charger rollout
Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC
Apr 24, 2026
Secondary Dwellings
Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands
Apr 24, 2026