Keremeos, BC — Jerry Widsten is selling his Keremeos home, saying he no longer feels safe living in the town.
His neighbour, Marty Menzies, is also frustrated with the escalation of property crimes this past summer.
Menzies believes the absence of police patrol at night makes this town an easy target.
“We don’t have any enforcement at night. Somewhere between 2 to 6 a.m., we don’t have any police presence at all,” explains Menzies.
RCMP say it is challenging to sustain 24-hour patrols in rural communities and confirm there has been a drastic spike in property crimes in the south Okanagan, especially the Keremeos-Cawston area.
But there may be some relief in sight.
Police say an Osoyoos man who’s believed to be responsible for 21 thefts is in custody.
The suspect hasn’t been formally charged, but that’s expected to happen Wednesday.
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Mounties have also arrested another man they believe is responsible for 27 thefts.
But the suspect has an outstanding warrant from Quebec, so he will be sent there without being charged for his alleged crimes in the Okanagan.
Despite these arrests, Widsten says he still doesn’t feel safe living in Keremeos.
“I’m up every couple of hours through the night just to look out onto the street,” says Widsten.
He says until he sells his home, he will continue to keep a watchful eye to guard his property.
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