Vernon Matters file photo

By Liam Verster

Policing Files

Vernon’s crime rates increasing, despite dip in calls for service

Aug 8, 2025 | 4:11 PM

RCMP say there has been an increase in criminal activity in Vernon recently.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP have released their second quarter (Q2) report, which shows there were 1,651 criminal code offences in the city between April 1 and June 30. That marked a 3.2 per cent increase from the 1,599 crimes committed in the same period the year before.

Included in those crimes were 303 violent offences and 872 property crimes, which were also up from 280 (+8.2 per cent) and 847 (+2.9 per cent) from the Q2 of 2024.

The RCMP says there were also 514 mental health files in Q2 of 2025, up from 488 (+5.3 per cent) in the same period the year before.

Even though these figures saw increases on an annual basis, the number of calls to police did decline.

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The report says there were 4,962 calls for service in Q2 of 2025. That was down from 4,988 (-0.5 per cent) from the same period the year before.

Despite the crime figures rising, local Mounties say they remain committed to four key priorities, Public Safety, Vulnerable Victims, Community Outreach and Employee Excellence.

The police force says they are working towards those priorities through actions and initiatives like targeted policing, addressing prolific offenders, providing response in support of calls for mental health and overdoses, connecting with youth and the general public, and working with area partners to address concerns.

The report will be presented to Vernon City Council at the regular meeting Monday, August 11.