{
  "id": 10570320,
  "title": "Kelowna businesses raise safety concerns as mayoral candidates debate public safety",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/kelowna-businesses-raise-safety-concerns-as-mayoral-candidates-debate",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T00:44:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12076491/kelowna-businesses-safety-concerns-mayoral-candidates-debate-public-safety/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nGoertsen 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.\n\nDyas 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.\n\nFor 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.\"",
  "summary": "Business owner Gerald Goertsen says over the weekend security cameras captured someone ripping out lavender plants from the side of his commercial building.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kelowna businesses express safety concerns over recent security breaches.",
    "Incumbent Mayor Tom Dyas proposes 75 new public safety positions.",
    "Candidate Emma Cannan opposes increased public safety spending."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The debate over public safety in Kelowna highlights a divide between mayoral candidates on how to address crime and social disorder, with businesses pressing for immediate action to improve safety conditions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Kelowna businesses raise safety concerns as mayoral candidates debate public safety",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/kelowna-businesses-raise-safety-concerns-as-mayoral-candidates-debate-10575036",
        "published": "2026-09-29T00:44:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}