Thieves are hitting the North Okanagan’s rural areas.
Statistics for the third quarter of 2016 (July to September) show 30 reports of vehicles being broken into in BX-Silver Star and BX-Swan Lake, with 14 of those alone in September. That compares to 19 during the same three months in 2015.
“It’s quite frustrating to read the shift reports in the morning about two or three vehicles being broken into because they were unlocked,” said Supt. Jim McNamara.
And beyond taking a few items, McNamara says the seriousness of the situation can escalate because credit cards in stolen wallets and purses can lead to fraud.
Thefts from vehicles aren’t the only concern in Greater Vernon’s two electoral areas.
During the third quarter of 2016, there were 14 residential break-and-enters compared to three during the same three months in 2015.
In terms of commercial break-and-enters, they have gone from four to eight.
“What’s happening in Vernon rural isn’t unusual and it’s not dissimilar to what’s happening elsewhere,” said McNamara.
In rural Enderby, there were five thefts from vehicles during the third quarter of 2016 while there were two residential break-ins and one commercial break-in.
Activity is also relatively quiet in the rural areas outside of Lumby — five thefts from vehicles, one residential break-in and three thefts from businesses.