The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has released policing statistics for the first quarter of 2025.
A report released by RCMP superintendent Beth McAndie highlights stats in each region for violent crime, property crime, calls for service, Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) files, and top 10 calls for services. First quarter stats for Princeton show an increase in assault, violence and theft.
From Jan. 1 to March 31, 2025, there were 360 total calls for service, a 12 per cent decrease from last year when there were 407 calls. However, there was still a rise in violent crime.
Total violent crime was up seven per cent, with 32 incidents compared to 30 in 2024. Common assault with a weapon causing bodily was up 90 per cent, with 19 incidents compared to 10 last year, and intimate partner violence was also up with six incidents compared to four last year.
Sex offences and uttering threats were both down 50 and 30 per cent respectively.
Property crimes saw a massive increase in thefts - other and shoplifting. There were 13 incidents of theft - other, a 333 per cent increase from last year when there were only three. There were four incidents of shoplifting, a 300 per cent increase from one in 2024.
In total, there were 44 incidents of property crime, three more than last year, and nine incidents of fraud, also three more than 2024. Mischief of property saw 10 incidents which was the same as last year.
Auto theft, bicycle theft, break and enter, and theft from vehicle were all down compared to last year.
The total number Criminal Code and CDSA files was up 25 per cent, with 101 files compared to 82 last year.
The top 10 calls for service at RCMP Princeton detachment included:
- Motor vehicle inspection: 32 calls
- Traffic incident: 29 calls
- Check well-being: 28 calls
- Theft: 22 calls
- Assist general public: 18 calls
- Abandoned 911: 16 calls
- Disturbance: 16 calls
- Assist police, fire, ambulance: 14 calls
- Unwanted person: 12 calls
- Suspicious person: 11 calls
- Threats: 11 calls
The full report, which will be discussed at the RDOS board of directors meeting on June 5, also pinpoints annual performance plan policing priorities for this year and 2026. Priorities for Princeton include increasing traffic enforcement throughout the town and RDOS, increasing public safety through communication and proactive patrols, improve consultation with external partners and clients through accountability and governance, and promote employee wellness and training.
