Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian says the RCMP have so far responded to 66 reports of non-compliance for people who are not social distancing because of COVID-19.

He noted that city bylaw staff have also responded to 79 reports of non-compliance on public property and 58 reports on private property, for a total of 203 complaints so far.

“That, relatively to a population of 100,000 people, is not a bad number in my opinion,” Christian said outside Kamloops City Hall on Friday.

He however did note that the number of break and enter calls are on the rise during this pandemic.

“We’ve had in the last six weeks 73 files related to that,” Christian said. “That compares to 33 files in 2019 in the same period. And that is a concern.”

As well with many businesses being closed, Christian noted 117 reports of shoplifting in that same six week period, which he says adds to the stress of local business owners.

“You have to be confident that you have left your business secure,” he said. “Make sure you’re using things like your security alarm system, your surveillance system. Don’t leave valuables in a vacant business.”

As well, Mayor Christian says there has been some issues noted by the utilities division and asked residents not to flush disposable wipes down the toilet.

“We’re having an increased number of sewer blockages, and we’re having an increased number of pump failures as a result of that,” he said. “Do not flush them, use the waste receptacle in washrooms for that.”

 

And on the topic of flooding, Christian says the city continues to prepare for a once in 20-year flood event on the North and South Thompson Rivers, with sand and sandbags available at a number of locations for river-front property owners.