Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield says the idea of pairing an RCMP officer with a medical professional on mental health crisis calls has been vital to the city's ongoing efforts to address public safety.

The Integrated Crisis Response team 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” or Car 40 program 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” has recorded more than 1,300 community interactions since it was introduced to Penticton in early 2024, the mayor added as he delivered his annual "State of the City Address" inside Okanagan College on Feb. 7.

"The number of repeat calls to individuals is dropping, which shows this program is working," Bloomfield said. "That means those individuals are starting to seek treatment and that's a great sign."

In his third address to the community since winning the 2022 mayoral election, Bloomfield emphasized public safety and housing.

He said the recent opening of a temporary winter shelter also represents a big win for the city and its efforts to improve the latter.

Seven people who once stayed at the shelter have since transitioned into permanent housing, the mayor added.

"This winter shelter is working," Bloomfield said, referring to the 40-bed facility at 402 Warren Avenue East which opened in November 2024. "Council has gotten a chance to tour the shelter, and it was a powerful reminder of why we help people in need."

Penticton City Council approved the project last fall and began working with 100 More Homes and BC Housing to make it a reality.

The city is the leaseholder of the building.

Located in Penticton's industrial area, the temporary winter shelter is expected to remain open until March 31.

Data provided by the city shows police calls in the area decreased by 15 per cent from November to December 2024 (from 173 to 148 calls) and by three per cent compared to November 2023 (153 calls).

Quarterly RCMP statistics will be presented to city council on Feb. 11.

"Talking about these actions is not enough, so we must keep working to improve and make Penticton a safer and more resilient community," Bloomfield said.

The mayor's address, organized by the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, began at 8 a.m. and was attended by around 75 people.

Bloomfield also spoke to the city's efforts to add housing, which resulted in Penticton approving 150 homes in 2024.

Construction values last year totalled more than $190 million, he said.

"We've revised our Official Community Plan and zoning to allow for more infill redevelopment, rather than urban sprawl, which is a more cost-effective way to add housing," he said.

"This year the plan is simple: keep at it and let's get shovels in the ground."

Notable housing projects that began in 2024 include a five-storey proposal at the site of what once was Slack Alice91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s on Front Street and a 72-unit plan on Timmins Street that would also feature an indoor baseball facility and twin NHL-sized rinks.

"This year, we are going to continue to look to build homes across the housing spectrum, including market and non-market," Bloomfield said.

"We are in difficult economic times for market housing..so we are looking for innovative ways to encourage development, which includes investigating incentive programs."