Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP’s new media relations officer believes more works needs to be done educating the community on locking their valuables to reduce break-and-enter crimes.
Const. Kelly Brett was responding to a media iinquiry at her first full media briefing about an article from Maclean’s magazine that listed Vernon as the ninth most dangerous city in Canada due to its crime severity index, which is compiled by Statistics Canada.
Within that index, serious crimes are broken down into categories such as violent crimes, homicides, assaults, sexual assaults, drug trafficking and break-and-enters, of which Vernon ranked fifth overall.
“It just comes down to educating the public on keeping their items secure by installing home security systems or things like that,” said Brett.
“We’re finding an increase in people leaving valuable goods in front of their vehicles, insecure premises like sheds and garages which have mountain bikes, snowboards, skis, you name it.”
Educating the public, she said, is something that needs to happen in every community.
Coldstream also made the list of most dangerous cities, coming in at No. 168 out of 229. Coldstream was ranked No. 105 for break-and-enters.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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