Expect some extra company on the streets of Kelowna this weekend and not just from tourists. Uniformed RCMP officers will be out in full force, patrolling by vehicle, bike and on foot in amongst the crowds.

Constable Kris Clark says, "it's a visibility thing, if they can actually see us around, not just driving by, the presence alone can help bring the file count down."

The kick-off to Kelowna's busy summer season, May long weekend is known to make or break a vacation. From car crashes to street brawls, records show the number of police files spike over the holiday.

"We can get 130-140 files a night just for Kelowna city, not including Lake Country or West Kelowna," says Clark.

Downtown Kelowna is a major destination for vacationers keen on letting loose.

“We tend to see alcohol and drug-fuelled shenanigans, so to speak,” Clark says.

To tackle risky behavior on the roads RCMP will have traffic teams on patrol looking for distracted driving and speeding.

If you have vacation plans police recommend getting a head start on your trip rather than speeding to catch up for lost time."Slow down, plan for your trip to be a little longer," Clark says. "Make the roads safe for everybody."

To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.