We promote safe communities and provide crime prevention advice and leadership within the municipalities of Lake Country, Peachland, West Kelowna, the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas and Westbank First Nation.
Our Crime Prevention Coordinator works closely with the RCMP in each of these areas. Their main office is located in the West Kelowna RCMP Detachment. The City of Kelowna has its own Crime Prevention Coordinator and we often work closely with them.
Our Crime Prevention Coordinator is responsible for the administration, research, development and presentation of all crime prevention programs. They also recruit volunteers who assist in the operation of the various volunteer programs. Interested in volunteering? Learn more below.
Programs we offer and support:
9 pm routine |
Broaden your crime prevention practice by developing the 9 p.m. routine.
Every night at 9 p.m. or thereabouts, make a quick check around your property including:
Why is this important? The RCMP in our province suggest that developing a regular evening property check routine helps prevent any crimes of opportunity. |
Auto crime prevention |
Auto crime hurts a lot of people every year in British Columbia. The cost in claims alone total more than $150 million per year. Victims lost time and property replacement as well as the cost of an insurance deductible. PreventionPrevention is the best way to lower auto crime costs. For your own protection, please secure your vehicle during both day and night. Keep your spare key in your wallet, not on the vehicle and remove all your belongings. Tips to prevent auto crime from ICBC:
Lock out auto crimeNext time you park look inside your vehicle and see what tempting items you've left in sight. Loose change, a shopping or sports bag, or even an old coat can make your vehicle an easy target. Auto theft can happen to anyone at any time. And while in the hands of a thief, your vehicle is likely to lose its stereo, the contents of the glove compartment - even the seats. Remember if your car is stolen once it could easily happen again. Closing your windows and locking your doors is only the first step to prevention. You may also want to consider buying an anti-theft device. |
Business watch |
Business Watch is a free RDCO crime prevention program through a partnership with the Greater Westside Board of Trade, City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and RCMP. It's modelled on the highly successful residential Block Watch program. Business Watch provides business owners and their staff with crime prevention advice and hand-on solutions to crime-related incidents that may impact them and their customers. Review our pamphlet PDF. Services offered
Why join? Benefits include…
In addition, you will receive specialized crime prevention services from our Crime Prevention Coordinator, including:
Benefits
Register to participateSimply fill out the registration form and you will be contacted. Want more information?Contact our Regional Crime Prevention Coordinator Phone 250-707-8021 |
Bicycle theft prevention |
Bicycle theft continues to be a crime of opportunity right across the Central Okanagan. More than a 1,000 bikes a year are reported stolen and RCMP believes the actual number is much higher. Very few stolen bicycles are ever reported by owners and recovered by police. Unfortunately, many bicycle owners don't record their bike's serial number or have a detailed description/photo to help identify their bike in the event it is stolen. Help protect your investment
What is 529 Garage?RCMP in the Central Okanagan and police across the province are partnering with the 529 Garage program to combat bike theft through improved education, prevention and enforcement. By registering your bicycle with the free 529 Garage App, you have the best chance of having it returned if it is stolen and recovered. More tips on preventing bike theft from the RCMP. Watch this short video on how easy it is to register and protect your bicycle! |
Block Watch program |
Block Watch is a program that aims to reduce residential crime through the active participation of a majority of community residents. It is a police and community organized awareness program that encourages neighbours to know each other and become familiar with the normal activity patterns within their neighbourhood. This enables people to recognize suspicious activity within their neighbourhood.
This program
Good neighbours working together through a Block Watch program can prevent crime in their area the most effective way: before it starts. How to start a Block Watch program in your community?We will supply you with an information package to assist you starting a Block Watch program in your area. The information package you receive will guide you through the steps to take to make your neighbours aware of the program and how you may all participate. When you feel you are ready to participate in our program, you may arrange for members of our Block Watch team to give a home safety presentation to a meeting of your neighbours. Our Presentation Team will come to your neighbourhood (or community meeting place) to present an overview of the Block Watch program. Depending on local conditions, a Block Watch grouping usually consists of residents from 10 to 25 homes. Our presentation is approximately 2 hours in length and covers:
Receive further information on starting a program in your area:
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Central Okanagan Speed Watch Program |
Are you aware of the speeding situation in British Columbia?
Is speeding a problem in your neighbourhood?
This program will help to address specific traffic problems through
Become a volunteerIf you are at least 19 years of age and...
You can apply to be part of our Speed Watch Program. For an application or more information please phone our Regional Crime Prevention Coordinator at 250-707-8021. Call your local RCMP detachment if you have a concern about the traffic in your neighbourhood. |
Child ID |
Child ID is a free program offered through the community policing offices (locations outlined below) in the Regional District of Central Okanagan. It's another example of how volunteers work with the RCMP and the community to make their neighbourhoods safer places in which to live, work and play. What is “Child ID?”Community Policing offices take the safety of our children very seriously. Do you have a record of your child's personal information, medical history and a recent picture? As a responsible parent, you should. Child ID is a community service project that is designed to provide parents with accurate documentation about your child or children. This service is provided FREE and at no cost to you. Please note, the RCMP does not keep a copy of these documents. Fingerprints, as well as all documents are kept with parents. Please keep your copies in a safe place. What information should you have for each child?
Why should I fingerprint my child?Fingerprints will not find a missing child. However, they do help in identification once a child has been found. How often should a child be fingerprinted?Although they never change throughout life, it is useful to repeat fingerprinting that has been done on youngsters under the age of 7, because once the child reaches this age, the prints become better defined. A child's footprint is often taken instead of fingerprints until they reach the age of 2 years. Handprints are taken between the ages of 2 6 years. Request a Child ID kitContact our Regional Crime Prevention Coordinator and they will supply you with a kit that will allow you to fingerprint your child(ren). |
Citizens' Patrol |
The Central Okanagan Citizens' Patrol is comprised of community-based groups of concerned citizens who volunteer their time, vehicles, energy and expertise to become the extended eyes and ears of their police service. In this day, the police simply cannot do it all for the community - they must have community support in making our streets safe for all to use. Each patrol team has its own executive selected from within the patrol. While this group manages the scheduling and routine operations of the patrol, the team itself works under the direction of the RCMP. What is the role of a citizens' patrol team? The only exception is Citizens' Patrol members occasionally will assist with traffic control/direction at motor vehicle accident scenes. A portion of the basic 6 hours training includes traffic direction and control. Is there a patrol team in my area?We oversee teams in the following areas of the Central Okanagan:
If you'd like further information about citizens' patrols in these areas, please call our Regional Crime Prevention Coordinator at 250-707-8021. |
Community policing offices |
What are they?Community Policing Offices are part of the RCMP Community Policing initiative in the Central Okanagan. Community Policing Offices (CPOs) have been established to better enable the police to serve their community and likewise enable the community support their police service. CPOs are staffed by community volunteers. Members of the public attending at these offices may receive assistance in reporting minor offences, dealing with police members or getting information relating to crime prevention and community policing concerns. The CPOs are not high pressure environments, but rather the opposite. A CPO is a community-based, non-threatening office the public may go to when they must deal with matters relating to personal problems or issues within the community. What do they do?Office personnel respond to routine enquiries from the general public, initiate non-emergency crime reports, advise the public on crime prevention programs available and maintain a number of ongoing programs such as: seniors contact, media liaison file, business contact list, etc. They have been designed to not be a high-pressure area. Objectives of community policing offices
How can I volunteer for the CPO program?The CPO program is looking for people who want to contribute time to their community and the police. Please read and answer the following questions:
If you can answer yes to all the above questions and can pass the security screening required by the RCMP, you might find the Community Policing Office rewarding. LocationsKelowna – RCMP1190 Richter Street Phone 250-762-3300 Lake Country3231 Berry Road Peachland5672 Beach Avenue Rutland115 McIntosh Road West Kelowna2390 Dobbin Road For further information about community policing in these areas, please contact our regional crime prevention coordinator by calling 250-707-8021. |
Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) |
Research has shown that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in both the opportunity for crime and the fear of crime. CPTED is part of a comprehensive approach to crime prevention. By emphasizing modifications to the physical environment, it complements community-based policing, Neighbourhood Watch, and social programs that address some of the root causes of criminal behaviour. CPTED can be applied to identify and remove potential problems in proposed developments. It can also be used to correct existing design problems that may invite crime. CPTED can reduce crime and fear through:
Are you having an ongoing “break and enter,” vandalism, theft or trespassing problem at your store or home? Our Crime Prevention Coordinator is available for an on-site assessment of your premises to suggest possible solutions to your problem through the principles of CPTED. |
Fraud, scams, identity theft protection |
Our Crime Prevention Coordinator is available to provide advice or presentations to interested parties. Simply contact them for more information. |
Graffiti removal and prevention program |
Have you spotted graffiti?Report graffiti by calling 250-707-8021 if you live within the municipalities of Lake Country, Peachland, West Kelowna, the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas, and Westbank First Nation. If you live in the City of Kelowna, contact them by phone 250-469-8600. About the programThe Graffiti Removal and Prevention Program is a police-based crime prevention program designed to reduce incidents of graffiti vandalism and the negative impact that this crime has on the community. A leading motivating factor for graffiti vandals is fame or notoriety. By removing graffiti as quickly as it appears vandals are unable to achieve recognition from their peers. If left unchallenged, graffiti can encourage other crimes and encroaches on the safety and well-being of our community. The Graffiti Eradication & Prevention program is based on a 3R's approach - Recognize, Report and Remove. Residents are asked to recognize that graffiti is a crime, to report graffiti to the Graffiti Hotline and to remove the vandalism immediately following its appearance. What Is Graffiti?Graffiti is the wilful defacement of someone else's property by writing words or drawing with any marking substance. Graffiti can be placed on any surface including walls, fences, rocks, trees, mail and news boxes, sidewalks, roadways, windows and equipment covers. Why Should You Care?
How Can You Prevent Graffiti?There are several steps you can take to help prevent graffiti. It requires your involvement to proactively fight this crime.
Graffiti On Your PropertyDo not ignore graffiti. Clean it up as soon as possible. This will prevent offenders from receiving the recognition they desire. Fast action improves the chances of a good clean up. You might also purchase environmentally friendly graffiti remover from paint stores. For assistance in removing graffiti, consult your local paint store or contact a professional graffiti removal contractor. |
Residential home security |
Our Regional Crime Prevention Coordinator can assist in educating people about home security. Just contact us for details. You can also check out the RCMP's page on home security tips. |
Restorative justice |
Criminal justice systems around the world today are adopting approaches that minimize the effects of crime on people and communities while helping to prevent offenders from committing more crimes. Learn about restorative justice |
Robbery prevention |
Here are some resources to help you learn about robbery prevention: |
Seniors contact program |
Seniors from the City of West Kelowna or Peachland who qualify for this program will be contacted by phone on a regular basis to ensure they are okay. Seniors will receive daily phone calls at a predetermined time (usually between 10 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday) from our Community Policing Office. This program is available to seniors who do not have a caregiver living with them. Referrals for this program will be taken from agencies and organizations working with seniors or from individuals who are aware of seniors who live alone and could benefit from this program. If contact cannot be made (no answer) – we will try back at least three times over one hour. If there is still no answer, one of the individuals that are listed as an emergency contact on the application form will be contacted. It's a simple way to ensure seniors are safe in our community. |
Seniors safety |
Seniors are often victims of scams and frauds because seniors are often stereotyped as being:
Crime prevention is mostly a matter of awareness. Most crimes take advantage of opportunity. Reducing or removing the opportunity reduces the possibility of becoming a victim. Our Crime Prevention Coordinator can assist seniors from becoming victimized through educational/awareness seminars geared at:
For more information, please contact our Crime Prevention Coordinator by calling 250-707-8021 or email them. |
Volunteer for these programs |
The minimum standards for all the programs include (but not limited to for some programs):
Pick up an application form at any of the RCMP detachments or community policing offices, or print and use this community policing volunteer form. The completed application form along with a clear photocopy of your driver's licence may be either dropped off at any community policing office or mailed direct to: Regional Crime Prevention Coordinator |
Additional links |
There are a variety of Crime Prevention organizations to check out: |
Contact us
Crime Prevention
Phone 250-469-6347
Fax 250-763-0606
Send email to Crime Prevention