FRIDAY
HOCKEY SHOWDOWN
FEBRUARY 6, 2015
M EI hosts h t skills kill eventt MEI A23
your life
A B B O T S F O R D
your community.
twitter.com/abbynews facebook.com/myabbynews
abbynews.com m
Online all the time. In print Wednesday & Friday.
Spike in Townline break-ins
BASKETBALL HEROES
NEW YORK BOUND
Thieves targeting cash and jewelry
A28 Abby native Mackenzie Skapski gets called up to the NHL’s New York Rangers
Vikki HOPES Abbotsford News
The Townline Hill area of Abbotsford has experienced a surge in home break-ins over the last three months, with the thieves mainly targeting cash and jewelry. Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said 19 break-ins have occurred in the area from Nov. 5 to Feb. 1. The number constitutes half the residential break-andenters that took place in all of Abbotsford during that time. MacDonald said the number is surprising, considering that Abbotsford recorded an overall eight per cent drop in home break-ins from 2013 to 2014. The majority of the recent thefts have taken place between 5 and 9 p.m., with the culprits forcing their way in through a rear window or rear sliding glass door. Investigators believe that a small number of people are responsible for these crimes and likely live in the area. “It’s more likely people who are part of the neighbourhood and have some expectation and knowledge that the homes they’re breaking into have a large amount of cash and jewelry,” MacDonald said. He said the culprits have been leaving behind other items typically stolen in home break-ins such as portable electronics. Police first warned the public of the break-ins in November after seven thefts took place in the Blueridge Drive and Townline Road area. The biggest theft involved $50,000 in cash and jewelry, and the losses in two others were valued at $30,000 and $15,000. MacDonald said police do not believe the break-ins are connected to the “Townline Hill Conflict,” embroiling two groups of young men in a dispute since last spring that has involved vandalism, mischief, assaults and arson. He said citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to police and to be diligent with their home security. Anyone with information is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225, text abbypd (222973) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CANNON DEBATE A4 Premier Clark open to proposal from council on propane cannon use
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE A5 New Official Community Plan needed as city’s population projected to grow to 200,000
Q
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
Q
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A23
Q Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Q
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A30
85¢ Slick Willie Shaw of the Harlem Globetrotters helps Alexander elementary student Jacob Smith form the letter A during an anti-bullying presentation Tuesday. The Globetrotters will play at the TYLER OLSEN Abbotsford News Abbotsford Centre on Feb. 13.
MILEAGE WARRANTY ON EVERY 2015 MAZDA!
as far as you wish. 604.857.1600
www.vipmazda.com
Fraser Valley Auto Mall
VIPMAZDA