Your city needs to talk about this reoffender
Good morning from the Okanagan — the lake is calm, the vines are growing, and we have things to discuss.
Okay, but here's the thing nobody talks about. We're all trying to enjoy our morning coffee, maybe thinking about a quick run along the Mission Creek Greenway, or planning a trip to the farmers' market at Dilworth Centre. But then you read something like this: someone in Kelowna has been released on bail after more than 400 police files. Four hundred! I mean, I love this city, I really do. I've seen kids grow up here, go through the Rockets system, move on. But when you hear numbers like that, it just makes you shake your head. Are we serious about public safety on Bernard Avenue, down by City Park Beach, or even just in our neighborhoods, if someone with that many incidents is back out on the street? It feels like we're constantly rediscovering Kelowna, but maybe we need to figure out how to keep it safe and livable for everyone who already calls it home.
It just feels like a slap in the face to everyone trying to make Kelowna a place where you can feel secure, whether you're walking your dog by Guisachan Heritage Park or just grabbing groceries. What exactly is the magic number of "police files" before we, as a community, can expect a different outcome? My yiayia always said, 'you can't keep sweeping things under the rug, eventually, someone trips.' And right now, it feels like we're tripping a lot.
Nina Papadimitriou, MiTL Sports Desk, Kelowna.
My friends on the morning show are definitely going to have some thoughts on this one — tune in live at mornings.live.