WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
CELEBRATING CULTURE Hundreds turn out to AbbyFest for event’s debut at University of Fraser Valley A13
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Sex offender’s residence intentionally flooded Police install surveillance cameras to deter further acts Vikki HOPES Abbotsford News
Police have installed two video surveillance cameras and plan to put up a third in a neighbourhood where a convicted child sex offender resides. But the cameras aren’t there to monitor the behavior of James Conway – they’re to deter acts of vigilantism against him, after the most serious among a rash of mischief-type incidents occurred early Saturday morning. Conway’s residence on Joanita Place in the Bradner area of Abbotsford was intentionally flooded, causing the ceiling to collapse. Const. Ian MacDonald said police received a
report at around 2 a.m. Conway – whose presence in the neighbourhood has been the subject of two previous protest rallies – lives in the home with another convicted offender and their supervisor. All three were in the home at the time of the flooding incident, but no one was injured. MacDonald said when police arrived, they discovered that someone had unscrewed some lights on the exterior of the property and had run a hose onto the roof and into the attic. Police estimate the water had been running for about two hours. MacDonald said there have been about 15 incidents on the property since Conway moved there at the beginning of August.
These include a water valve being encased in concrete, a gate at the home being padlocked, rocks thrown at the residence, threatening letters attached to the gate, and “borderline threats” being yelled as people drive by. MacDonald said security cameras – not installed by police – were in place on the property, and the footage will be reviewed for evidence. The person(s) responsible for the flooding could face a potential charge of mischief over $5,000 and other offences, he added. MacDonald said such behaviour by residents is “disappointing” because it ties up police resources when the reports have to be Continued on A5
GOLDEN TREE TUMBLES A5 Commemorative statue in transit from Mission to Abby falls off truck, injuring two
CITY TO CLOSE POT SHOPS A3 Medical marijuana dispensaries given notice they are contravening bylaws
BARNS DESTROYED A massive fire destroyed two barns and an estimated 60,000 chickens Monday afternoon on Bradner Road, south of McTavish Road. The blaze took several hours to fight, and heavy black smoke could be seen for kilometres during its peak. Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service is continuing to investigate the cause. See story A3
FAMILIES CONCERNED A5 Relatives of patients at mental health facility worried over loss of licensed care beds ■
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