Kamloops RCMP have reported a slight increase in crime in 2025, both in overall reports and actual crimes committed compared to 2024.

Superintendent Jeff Pelley addressed council at its regular meeting on Feb. 24, presenting the force’s year-end figures.

Pelley said there has been a four percent reduction in crimes against persons and an eight percent drop in traffic violations, but a 16 percent increase in crimes under the controlled drugs and substances act, a seven percent increase in property crime and a 13 percent increase in other criminal code violations.

In the areas the RCMP is working to reduce crime, which include break-and-enters, theft of motor vehicles, theft from motor vehicles and shoplifting, RCMP reported a three percent increase overall.

But within that group of crimes, break-and-enters to businesses were down 27 percent, break-and-enters to residences were down 10 percent and theft of motor vehicles were down 27 percent. On the rise, however, were thefts from motor vehicles, up 15 percent, and shoplifting, up 13 percent.

Pelley acknowledged there was likely an “insurmountable” number of shoplifting incidents that went unreported by businesses, as well.

In relation to thefts from motor vehicles, Coun. Bill Sarai said he had heard many instances of people not reporting crimes and urged people not to leave valuable items in their vehicles.

“I see it has increased here, but I think it could be even higher. From what I’m hearing, residents who wake up in the morning, see their window smashed, and come to the conclusion there’s no point in reporting it,” Sarai said, asking Pelley if residents should be reporting crimes.

Pelley agreed and said it’s important to report crimes because the data is used to direct resources, including police patrols.

“Those statistics certainly assist us,” he said.

On the end of decriminalization

Three weeks prior to the report to council, the province’s experiment with decriminalizing drugs for personal use came to an end. Pelley said calls have already been coming in to report those using drugs in public — a trend he expects to continue.

“We had a drastic decrease in calls for service, as well as the possession offences, when decriminalization came in, so now I expect it to skyrocket,” he said.

Pelley said the force’s next quarterly report will likely reflect that change.

Road safety

Pelley called road safety “a very serious priority in our community,” with impaired driving and distracted driving being the leading causes of death and injury.

He said the city’s traffic unit is “fully staffed” and supplemented with reserve constables.

Pelley reported 1,191 traffic and road safety crimes, including 197 impaired driving incidents, 47 caught for prohibited driving, 328 intersection tickets issued and 619 incidents of distracted driving. Three motor vehicle fatalities were investigated last year.

Prolific offenders

Pelley pointed to 13 prolific offenders in the city who were involved in 359 files in 2025 alone. He said dealing with the offenders has had a “great impact” on officers.

Coun. Katie Neustaeter said she is “infuriated” with the conversation around prolific offenders and called for change so they could face consequences.

In B.C., the RCMP recommends charges to Crown counsel (prosecutors) who make the final call whether or not to approve charges. Neustaeter said that isn’t happening enough.

“That continues to suggest to us there is a major gap in the justice system, not in the work the RCMP is doing, but in those who are imposing, or failing to impose consequences on those harming the rest of community,” she said.

Neustaeter suggested council advocate for the RCMP to be able to lay charges directly.

“This is obviously not something a municipality can do from the horseshoe, but we can certainly advocate,” she said.