OVERCHARGED FOR WATER City of Abbotsford to pay Mission $359,000
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SAYING GOODBYE TO NEVILLE COX
NEW HEALTH CENTRE OPENS
Celebrating former mayor’s life
Fraser Health brings numerous services PAGE 10
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2012
CCNA
85¢+ GST
Thursday, August 8, 2013
SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908
Misty Mission morning This photo was taken by Kelly Kitsch, one of the four Mission photographers who are finalists in The Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year contest. The 73 finalists will be shooting at the Abbotsford International Airshow this weekend. The contest is sponsored by Black Press, London Drugs and the Airshow. KELLY KITSCH PHOTO
Pounding the pavement Carol Aun MISSION RECORD
RCMP Constables Joanie Sidhu and Katrina Harnett parked their cruisers and tightened up the laces of their boots last week to patrol Mission’s downtown. As they walked, they stopped every few minutes to talk to area residents, shoppers, and merchants. It’s a way for them to get to know the community and gather intelligence to update files. They also don’t mind helping out when they can.
On Thursday, they helped move a homeless woman off private property. “She had a lot of stuff with her,” said Harnett, noting business owners are usually hesitant to approach people in her situation. She recognized it was hard for the woman too, and the partners offered as much assistance as they could. Earlier in the day, library staff brought the pair’s attention to a man panhandling in the vicinity and scaring children. It didn’t take long for Sidhu and Harnett to spot
the man from the photograph they were shown and explain to him his actions were making others uncomfortable. “He was very cooperative,” said Sidhu. Most people are happy to see a police presence in the area, added Harnett. “We get a lot of positive reaction.” Mounties launched the foot patrols in May, coinciding with plans to revitalize downtown. “It’s a good alignment with the
city’s initiative. We have to help with the transition,” said Mission RCMP Insp. Richard Konarski, who hopes to eliminate as many conflicts as possible with various user groups. Some people have reservations about coming downtown because of past issues, but there has been a significant change over the last two months, added Sgt. Shaun Wright, noting there are fewer people congregating in the area than last year. There will still be people hanging out, but not the ones that were
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predatory or causing distress in the community, noted Konarski. Police have been working with a crime analyst to determine when and where the most calls for service take place and strategically schedule foot patrols. “If we understand the pattern, why not get there ahead of time?” the inspector said. Police also use the information gatered to build stronger cases and flag people who cause problems in the area, like panhandling or petty thefts.
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