Criminal code offences rose in Vernon and the North Okanagan in 2024

Feb 10, 2025 | 10:36 AM

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP saw an increase in criminal activity in 2024, though there was only a slight increase in calls for service.

The annual report from the RCMP stated there were 1,466 criminal code offences in Vernon in 2024. That was up from the 1,346 criminal code offences reported in the city the year before.

There were also 88 criminal offences in Coldstream and 84 in Vernon Rural in 2024. Those were all up from the 2023 figures of 58 and 63 offenses, respectively.

In total, there were 2,033 crimes reported across the North Okanagan. That was up from the 1,739 offences in the region the year before.

Violent offences accounted for 419 of the total crimes in the North Okanagan, up from 364 the year before. Vernon was the site for the majority of those crimes, as police reported 261 violent offences within the city in 2024.

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Property crimes in the North Okanagan also increased from 978 in 2023 to 1,157 in 2024. Of those, 846 were reported within Vernon.

Though criminal code offences were up, calls for services did decline in Greater Vernon.

The annual report from local police stated officers responded to 4,179 calls for service in Vernon in 2024, down slightly from the 4,189 calls the year prior.

There were also 315 calls for service in Coldstream, down from 321 in 2023, though Vernon Rural saw calls increase slightly from 381 in 2023 to 384 in 2024.

However, the entire North Okanagan saw 6,608 calls for police service in 2024, up from 6,504 the year before. The Westside area saw the largest call increase, from 232 in 2023 to 309 in 2024, followed by Enderby where calls rose from 406 to 423.

The police report noted there were also 493 mental health files opened within Vernon and Coldstream in 2024, which was up from the 360 files the year prior.

The annual report will be presented to Vernon City Council for information at the regular meeting Monday, Feb. 10.

by Liam Verster

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