Kelowna RCMP Say Social Disorder Rises Even as Break-Ins Fall

The Kelowna RCMP say they are seeing a noticeable rise in social disorder in the city’s downtown core, even as reported break-ins and property crimes have decreased, highlighting complex public safety trends that have residents and business owners talking.

Superintendent Chris Goebel presented the 2025 year-end data to city council on Monday, noting that calls for incidents like unwanted persons, disturbances and general public disorder were up about 15 per cent compared with the previous year. Meanwhile, break-and-enter reports — a key measure of property crime — were down 8.1 per cent, surprising some local merchants who had expected the opposite.

The RCMP statistics suggest that while classic property crime is trending downward, the public’s perception of safety may not match the numbers, as social disorder often presents challenges that don’t fit neatly into traditional crime categories. Goebel has told council that police continue to work with city partners to respond to calls for service — prioritizing urgent safety issues while also engaging in community outreach and support.

Business owners in Kelowna’s downtown have been vocal about ongoing concerns, expressing frustration about street-level behaviour including loitering, disturbances and clean-up challenges — even as formal crime measures such as break-ins decline. Some owners say that visible issues such as disorder and vandalism can affect foot traffic and perceptions of safety, regardless of crime statistics.

City officials have also begun implementing measures such as increased patrols and community-safety partnerships to help address disorder issues, including working with bylaw services and volunteer programs to assist in lower-priority situations that nevertheless impact local residents and businesses.

The diverging trends in crime data and public experience reflect broader discussions about urban safety and livability, with RCMP and city leadership emphasizing that both enforcement and community support play roles in maintaining safe, vibrant public spaces.