Stock photo of RCMP blocking College Way (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Policing Statistics

Crimes on the rise in Vernon: RCMP

May 11, 2026 | 12:01 PM

Vernon police had a busy first three months as crimes rose annually.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP’s quarterly report said officers responded to 4,427 calls for service within Vernon between Jan. 1 and March 31 of 2026.

Those calls involved 1,647 criminal code offences, including 254 violent offences, as well as 980 property crimes.

All those figures were up when compared to the first quarter of 2025.

The RCMP said the Crime Reduction Unit had a busy three months, executing 49 arrest warrants and recommending charges stemming from nine investigations. The unit also conducted 18 operations that led to the arrest of 17 individuals and the seizure of a combined 12 weapons; 134 grams of drugs, including 86.53 grams of cocaine; and $1,397 in cash.

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Mounties said there were also 11 prolific offenders known to local police.

“Of those, four are currently in custody and seven are not in custody,” the RCMP’s report said.

“Of the seven not in custody, four reside in, or are known to frequent, the City of Vernon, one resides in the North Rural, and two are in other communities.”

While crimes rose, Vernon and Coldstream saw a combined 354 mental health files in Q1 of 2026, which was down from the same period the year before.

There were also 405 traffic infractions in Vernon between January and March, also down annually.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP will present the report and the results of their operations for the three-month period to Vernon City Council and Coldstream Council at their respective meetings Monday, May 11.

by Liam Verster

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