Speed bumps are deterring lead-footed drivers on Beach Avenue in Peachland, according to the RCMP.

At its May 20 meeting, council heard that portable speed bumps installed for the summer have led to a noticeable drop in speeding.

鈥淢any times the best thing you can do when you have a speeding or enforcement problem is to change the environment in which people drive,鈥� explained Cpl. Tyrone Wilton of the West 琉璃神社 RCMP.

Wilton, one of two municipal traffic officers covering West 琉璃神社 and Peachland, told council that 68 tickets and warnings have been issued in Peachland since March 1.

鈥淭he majority of offenders we do encounter are from Peachland, primarily on Beach Ave.鈥攁bout 90 per cent,鈥� he added.

The speed limit on Beach Ave. is 30 km/h, but Wilton said officers have recorded speeds as high as 60 to 65 km/h. 

鈥淭hose were few and far between,鈥� he noted. 鈥淭he majority of the time we are targeting people once they hit 50 km/h.鈥�

Wilton鈥檚 team also conducts regular enforcement along Highway 97, with two dedicated patrols per day in addition to coverage by general duty officers. He added that even the presence of a police vehicle can influence driver behaviour.

Staff Sgt. Brendan Dolan also addressed council, noting that one general duty officer per shift is assigned to patrol Peachland.

鈥淲e dub them the sheriff of Peachland,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 their duty鈥攖hey come down here and do active patrols and ensure a visible presence in the community.鈥�

When asked whether police presence would increase over the summer, Dolan said patrols have already expanded since he arrived in West 琉璃神社 in 2024.

鈥淎s far as expanding beyond that, you鈥檙e getting good service at this point in time,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving said that, if an issue arises which would require more police presence, we will absolutely be there.鈥�

Dolan added that residents have noticed the increased visibility. 

鈥淥bviously that鈥檚 us being receptive to the community survey.鈥�

Mayor Patrick Van Minsel agreed. 

鈥淚 have noticed more police presence, as have our residents, and I think that鈥檚 a deterrent on itself.鈥�

Van Minsel also alluded to other concerns in the community. 

鈥淲e had a short discussion just before we started here,鈥� he said to Dolan. 鈥淏ut there鈥檚 a plan in place I think鈥攜ou know about it鈥攁nd you will take care of it.鈥�

The mayor did not elaborate on what those other challenges were.