Being arrested is not a crime deterrent in Kelowna, says RCMP Const. Mike Della-Paolera, community youth safety and media relations officer.

Della-Paolera said that the RCMP is continuously arresting the same repeat offenders in the city.

He explained that it feels as though the police force is spinning around a revolving door. He said that officers chase and arrest prolific offenders, only to have those who repeatedly commit crimes be released by the judicial system. Kelowna officers then have to arrest the offender all over again.

Della-Paolera said that Kelowna officers go 香蕉视频直播渘umb香蕉视频直播� to the continuous cycle of crime and suffering people get caught in.

He explained that many repeat offenders struggle with substance use disorders and the RCMP would like to help get them off the streets, but the resources simply aren香蕉视频直播檛 there. Most people are released right back onto the streets without having the opportunity to receive help and counselling for substance use and mental health concerns.

Kelowna RCMP recently arrested a pair of repeat offenders who had a combined total of 68 recommended charges, accumulated over only two months.

On Aug. 7, the RCMP arrested a distressed,香蕉视频直播漵treet-entrenched香蕉视频直播� man twice. His second arrest of the day came after allegedly waving a hammer at people, causing damage to parked vehicles and spewing racial vulgarities.

香蕉视频直播淭his man has generated over 22 police files this year, mostly for causing a disturbance and mischief, but also including violent and other non-violent offences,香蕉视频直播� said Della-Paolera.

He is known to Kelowna officers and suffers from mental health and substance use challenges said Della-Paolera.

During this most recent file, the man purposely defecated in the rear seat of the police vehicle.

Kelowna had the highest crime rate in the country and ranked second for crime severity in 2021.

香蕉视频直播淚n my opinion, the money that is being allocated to community services isn香蕉视频直播檛 being dolled out properly香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 not being utilized properly,香蕉视频直播� said Della-Paolera.

He said that officials sitting in offices, far removed from the front lines are 香蕉视频直播渃omfortable香蕉视频直播� and don香蕉视频直播檛 see the issues that the RCMP is facing. He said that he doesn香蕉视频直播檛 blame the City of Kelowna, and knows that the mayor and councillors recognize the problem.

The Kelowna RCMP has requested additional support from the city, fueling debate about crime-management strategies in light of the upcoming civic election.

Mayoral candidate Tom Dyas announced that if elected, he would expand the Police and Crisis Team (PACT).

Current Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran responded, saying the city is well aware that the RCMP needs more support and that he is actively advocating to Interior Health for additional nursing and mental health support on PACT.

Della-Paolera said that the city needs people to step up and stop the cycle of continuous crime.

Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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