We encourage you to contact the local RCMP to report all crime and suspicious activity. Reporting crime can help the RCMP identify suspects, track crime trends, and allocate resources. 

Resource: How and When to Report a Crime

Emergency: 9-1-1
RCMP non-emergency line: 250-828-3000
RCMP non-emergency online reporting tool

Shoplifting is a crime that impacts business owners and customers, and can impact the sense of safety in an establishment. There are several preventative measures businesses can take to make shoplifting more difficult for the potential thieves. 

Resource: Shoplifting Prevention

Emergency: 9-1-1
RCMP non-emergency line: 250-828-3000
RCMP non-emergency online reporting tool

A robbery occurs when someone steals or attempts to steal something from a person, using violence or threats of violence. The violence does not need to be excessive. If the robber indicates possession of a weapon, real or perceived, then a robbery is being committed.

During a robbery, the person being stolen from is confronted by the thief. If a confrontation does not take place, the incident can be deemed a theft. For example, if a suspect breaks into a business establishment after hours to steal items, then they are committing a break and enter as well as theft. If the suspect breaks into a store, confronts the customers or employees, and then steals from them, they are committing a robbery.

Resource: Armed Robbery Prevention

Emergency: 9-1-1
RCMP non-emergency line: 250-828-3000
RCMP non-emergency online reporting tool

Kamloops parks are not designed for recreational camping, and camping is not permitted. Those who are experiencing homelessness may seek temporary overnight shelter on city property.

In April 2018, the City of Kamloops amended its Parks and Public Lands Bylaw No. 35-66 to accommodate people's right to shelter. To support people living outdoors, the City has opened all washroom facilities with access to hot water during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Services Officers are monitoring camps to promote site safety and cleanliness and ensure physical distancing protocols are followed.

Resource: Temporary Overnight Shelters

To report an untidy or excessive camp, or to inquire about impounded items, contact Community Services at 250-828-3409.

Homelessness is not just a big city problem, as the causes of homelessness can affect people living anywhere in Canada. Every community in Canada has people experiencing homelessness, even if you don't see people on the street. 

The City of Kamloops has a vision for our community where housing is available and affordable to all residents. The City supports the availability of diverse housing options that enable people from all walks and stages of life to locate and secure housing that is safe, affordable, and appropriate. To that end, the City continues to work as a steward, facilitator, investor, and communicator to increase the housing supply across the housing continuum throughout Kamloops. 

Resource: Housing and Homelessness

Panhandling is not an activity that is supported or encouraged in any community, and is regulated by the City's Panhandling Bylaw No. 24-38, which outlines when and where panhandling is not permitted. 

Brochure: PanHandling

If you are interested in helping people on the streets, your funds are best put to use by donating to social agencies instead. People who panhandle can access these services directly and have a greater chance of heading down a better path.

Resource: Should I give money to panhandlers?

If you have concerns with panhandling contact Community Services at 250-828-3409.

Loitering refers to lingering or hanging around a public area without any apparent purpose for being there. While it's not necessarily illegal, loitering can impact the sense of safety or accessibility for a business. 

For advice on addressing loitering, contact Community Services by phone 250-828-3409 or submit your request for service online. 

To effectively combat graffiti, it is best to remove it within 24 hours. This sends a message out to the "taggers" that it is a waste of time and paint because no one will see their "tag". Having their tag seen by as many people as possible is the goal of all graffiti vandals.

If your property has been vandalized by graffiti, we recommend you remove it promptly. If you would like support, the Graffiti Task Force can remove graffiti for a small fee. If you require a paint match, we ask that you supply the paint. 

If you see a vandal in the process of defacing property with graffiti, phone the RCMP's non-emergency line at 250-828-3000 to report it.

Graffiti Task Force

The Graffiti Task Force is a small non-profit society partnering with the City of Kamloops to remove or paint all graffiti on City property. They also partner with Telus, BC Hydro, and CP Rail to clean street equipment.

The Graffiti Task Force treat private property on a fee-for-service basis when possible. If unable to help private property owners, the Task Force has a database of private companies performing graffiti removal and cover-up.

Brochure: Graffiti

Call 250-572-6848 or email gtfkamloops@gmail.com to report graffiti or to volunteer your time. Donations of funds or paint and equipment are always greatly appreciated and will be put to good use for the community.

Report a Tag

Report any graffiti on City property, Telus boxes, or BC Hydro boxes by calling 250-572-6848 or emailing gtfkamloops@gmail.com with the specific location. If you have graffiti on your property, call to see how the Graffiti Task Force can be of service.

Community Art Bins

A collaboration between the City of Kamloops, Downtown Kamloops, and the North Shore Business Improvement Association brought local street artists and youth at risk together to decorate Art Bins. Read more about the project here.

Discarded needles and associated materials are a reality of the Opioid Crisis gripping the nation. The City has partnered with ASK Wellness and the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA), and both organizations have staff dedicated to picking up sharps and keeping an eye out for residents who may require emergency medical assistance.

In addition, sharps disposal bins have been located throughout the city.

Resource: Sharps Container Locations

If you find a needle and wish to dispose of it safely:

1. Do not try to replace cap on needle.
2. Pick up need with care using work gloves, tongs, or tweezers. Do not pick up by the point.
3. Hold needle point away from you and place in a metal or thick plastic container with a cap.
4. Replace cap securely on container.
5. Dispose of the container by bringing it to an Interior Health or harm reduction service location.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Resource: Sharps and Needles

If you find a needle and do not wish to dispose of it yourself, please call one of the following agencies:

In the downtown core, call the Downtown CAP team at 250-572-3009.

Areas outside of the downtown core, phone or text the Overdose Prevention Team at 778-257-1292 or email ODP433@askwellness.ca.

If you are pricked by a needle:

1. Wash the pricked area with soap and water right away.
2. Go to your physician or emergency room for medical attention.

While being pricked by a needle can be frightening, it's important to know that the risk of contracting diseases such as tetanus, HIV, or Hepatitis B or C is low.

A supervised consumption service (SCS) is a health service that provides a hygienic environment where people can inject/consume pre-obtained illicit drugs under the supervision of trained staff. 

SCSs can be staffed by nurses, counsellors, peer workers and other experienced clinicians who provide supervision, education about safer injecting/consuming practices, overdose prevention and intervention, sterile injection equipment, and medical and counselling services.

SCSs are often provided as an adjunct to health care and harm reduction services (e.g., supply distribution, testing, immunization, medical care) at locations already working with people who use drugs.

Supervised consumption services usually have three main goals: 

1. Reduce the number of drug overdoses
2. Improve the health of people who use drugs by bringing them into contact with other health, social, and treatment services, and reducing the spread of HIV and Hepatitis B and C
3. Reduce issues in the community, such as drug use in public places and discarded needles

For more information on the Public Health Overdose Emergency, visit Interior Health.