Kelowna, B.C. – Business owners in the Rutland neighborhood are voicing growing frustration over persistent social disorder, calling for the expansion of the city's newly announced overnight security patrols beyond the downtown core. David Lea, who has run Toshido Mixed Martial Arts in Rutland for 30 years, described the situation as the worst he has ever seen, with his studio frequently marred by drug paraphernalia, waste, and other hazards that complicate daily operations.
“I’ve never seen it worse,” Lea said in an interview. He detailed a recent incident on Thursday that underscored the challenges: arriving at 3:30 p.m. for a 4 p.m. children's class, he found the entrance blocked by smashed crack pipes, syringes, garbage, and the remnants of a fire. “It was a disaster,” Lea added. “It’s just a constant infestation of feces, crack pipes, syringes, garbage – you know, it’s just, it’s an ongoing concern. It makes doing business so much harder, so much more expensive.”
The problems in Rutland mirror broader issues of public disorder that have plagued Kelowna for years, including open drug use, encampments, and related safety concerns in commercial areas. Local business operators have repeatedly urged city officials to address these challenges, particularly during overnight hours when police presence is limited. On Thursday, the City of Kelowna responded with the launch of temporary overnight security patrols, a measure aimed at curbing such disturbances in high-need zones.
According to Darren Caul, the city’s community safety director, the program involves a private security company operating under city guidance. “We have a private security company under the guidance of the city, who are out patrolling in those overnight hours,” Caul explained. “This private security company is two individuals who are able to patrol the back alleys and the streets, notify RCMP should there be crimes in progress.”
The initiative, funded through the city’s public safety levy at a cost of $16,000 per month, is designed to be data-driven. Officials plan to analyze information from the RCMP, bylaw enforcement, and the security team to identify hotspots and adjust deployments accordingly. For now, the patrols are concentrated in the downtown area, where Caul noted an “acute need at this time.” “For the moment the focus is on the downtown, because this is one of the areas that is where there is an acute need at this time,” he said.
While the announcement has been welcomed by some downtown business owners, skepticism lingers about the program's temporary nature, which is slated to last only several months. Todd Daniels, owner of Gallery Streetwear in downtown Kelowna, expressed cautious optimism. “You know, ‘temporary,’ the word always kind of scares me a little bit. But I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Daniels said. He and others have long advocated for enhanced overnight patrols, viewing them as essential for fostering a safer environment for shoppers and workers alike.
In Rutland, however, the rollout has sparked feelings of inequity among affected business owners. Lea argued that the neighborhood faces similar, if not identical, problems and deserves comparable resources. “We should be getting that kind of attention that the downtown people are getting. It’s that simple,” he stated. He warned that without intervention, local operators might resort to hiring their own security, a prospect he described as undesirable but increasingly necessary. “If they don’t start doing something, we’re going to have to,” Lea said. “And I really don’t think that’s good for anybody, but we’re being left with no other option.”
Caul acknowledged the potential for expansion, emphasizing that deployments would evolve based on emerging data. “Through that data and that daily exchange of information between security, bylaw services and the RCMP, where those focal points are, we will shift,” he said. “And over time, should we see a hot spot emerge elsewhere in the city, we would redeploy that security team to that hot spot.” This approach, he added, relies heavily on public reporting to inform police and city responses. “It’s really important for citizens to consistently report crimes that come up because if the police don’t know what’s happening, the police can’t go,” Caul urged. “So through consistent reporting by the public, that then informs the data that drives deployment.”
The city's move comes amid a larger conversation in Kelowna about balancing public safety with compassion for those struggling with addiction and homelessness. Rutland, a bustling commercial district on the city's east side, has seen an uptick in visible drug-related activity, exacerbated by the ongoing effects of the opioid crisis and economic pressures. Business owners like Lea report that such incidents not only deter customers but also require additional cleanup and maintenance costs, straining small operations.
Historical context reveals that calls for enhanced security in Kelowna date back several years, with previous initiatives including increased bylaw enforcement and community outreach programs. The temporary patrols represent an escalation, but their short-term scope has raised questions about long-term commitment. If the program proves effective, city officials have indicated it could be made permanent or broadened, potentially incorporating more personnel or technology like surveillance cameras.
Stakeholders in Rutland, including Lea, hope the data will soon highlight their area's needs. He described a pattern of neglect, where downtown receives priority due to its tourism draw, while outlying neighborhoods like Rutland are overlooked. “Lea said he feels businesses in Rutland are being left behind,” echoing sentiments shared by other local operators who have formed informal networks to discuss safety strategies.
Beyond immediate patrols, broader solutions under discussion include expanded mental health services, housing initiatives, and partnerships with provincial authorities to tackle root causes. The RCMP, which collaborates closely with the city's security efforts, has reported a rise in property crimes and public disturbances citywide, though specific statistics for Rutland were not immediately available.
As the program unfolds, its success will likely hinge on community engagement and measurable outcomes, such as reduced incidents of disorder or improved business confidence. Caul stressed the importance of ongoing evaluation, with monthly reviews to assess impact and adjust as needed. For now, the two-person security team begins its overnight shifts, a modest but visible step in addressing Kelowna's persistent challenges.
Business owners like Daniels and Lea represent a chorus of voices pushing for action, highlighting how social issues intersect with economic vitality. In a city known for its lakeside appeal and growing population, maintaining safe public spaces remains a priority. Whether the patrols extend to Rutland could signal the city's willingness to distribute resources equitably across its diverse neighborhoods.
Residents and operators are encouraged to report issues promptly, as this feedback loop could accelerate deployments to areas like Rutland. As Kelowna navigates these complexities, the temporary measure serves as a testing ground, with potential implications for urban safety strategies in similar Canadian communities facing analogous pressures.