Kelowna businesses raise safety concerns as mayoral candidates debate public safety

Frustration is mounting among businesses on Commerce Avenue in Kelowna following a spate of security breaches captured on surveillance cameras. Gerald Goertsen, a local business owner, recounted the most recent incident involving someone tearing out lavender plants from the side of his commercial building, describing it as part of a pattern of crime and social disorder in the area.

Goertsen expressed his concerns to Global News, stating that the current situation has become unsafe and that immediate action is needed. Incumbent Mayor Tom Dyas, who is also running for re-election, has proposed a "safer streets" platform, which includes increasing detox and treatment services, as well as adding 75 new public safety positions, including RCMP, bylaw and firefighter roles.

Dyas specifically criticized a recent vote by council member Emma Cannan, who he claims opposed measures needed to address crime. Cannan, however, maintains that her vote was against overall budget spending, not specifically public safety resources. She now intends to hold a town hall meeting with the business community to discuss the efficient use of public safety resources.

For Goertsen, the political debate is centered around the desire for improved safety conditions. "We care about those less fortunate," he said, "We give a lot of money to charity and we do care. But when they're vandalizing and smashing our windows and locking us in our building and tearing out our plants, that's got to stop."