West Kelowna adopts community safety plan and renewable energy partnership

West Kelowna council has adopted a new community safety plan aimed at improving public safety and quality of life. The plan addresses interconnected issues such as housing insecurity, poverty, mental health, and substance abuse, noting that these factors create pressures on emergency services and public spaces. To implement the plan, the city intends to act as a facilitator and advocate, working alongside partners including the RCMP, Interior Health, BC Housing, and Westbank First Nation.

In a separate initiative, the council unanimously approved a motion to collaborate with BC Hydro on renewable energy projects. As part of this partnership, BC Hydro will fund a dedicated energy manager for the city for a two-year period at no cost to the municipality. This staff member will focus on identifying infrastructure projects that reduce reliance on the electrical grid, such as installing solar panels on city hall or the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant.