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FEBRUARY 27, 2015
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Plagued by mail theft Community mailboxes main target in 23 incidents in two months Tyler OLSEN Abbotsford News
Abbotsford has seen nearly two dozen reported instances of mail box vandalism or theft since the start of the year, a trend that has police warning residents to be vigilant and collect their mail regularly. The majority of the incidents have occurred in rural areas, with community mailboxes being the chief target, according to Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald. RCMP in Chilliwack also reported this week that three boxes in the outlying community of Yarrow, which borders Abbotsford, were broken into last Friday. Individual boxes and those in the city core have also been targeted, but the common factor
is the motive. “The target without doubt is the mail inside,” MacDonald said. In the past, a wide range of offenders have been found with stolen mail, from street-level petty criminals to more sophisticated operators. The mail is valuable for the personal information it frequently contains. “They’re looking for key documents that will allow people to steal identities,” MacDonald said. Police are encouraging the public to report any damage to mailboxes. The signs are usually obvious, with pry bars a favoured tool. “There’s no subtlety that’s in these break-ins.” Residents are also encouraged to pick up their
mail regularly, and if they don’t receive a piece of mail that is expected, to follow up with the sender. Because police only started separating mail-related theft numbers this year, MacDonald could only say that the 23 reports of thefts or mischief seem elevated from the normal rate of mail incidents. But the Lower Mainland is no stranger to such crimes. Last year, Canada Post reported that this region is home to half of all mail-related vandalism incidents in the country. Kerisma Vere, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Royal City, which represents employees in Abbotsford and Mission, said workers have seen community mailboxes Continued on A6
ART AUCTION FOR GRETA A19 Upcoming event will raise money for five-year-old Greta Loewen
CONDUCT INQUIRY A7 UFV wrestlers suspended from national meet while investigation undertaken
PINK POWER
HOMELESS COMPLAINT
Rachel Springman, Kaitlin Hayes and Catherine Nguyen take a stand against bullying during the Abbotsford Youth Commission’s Pink Shirt Day rally Wednesday along McMillan Road.
A4 Incident with homeless man’s tent prompts city to change volunteer guidelines Q
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