ABBOTSFORD Police launched an eight-month initiative — Project Spotlight — targeting prolific violent offenders and offenders responsible for random acts of violence in the city. The goal was to make the streets safer by arresting violent offenders who were released on conditions and by targeting property crime offenders who were using violence during the commission of their crimes and creating continuous financial losses to businesses.
The project was a combined effort of uniformed and undercover officers who used multiple tactics, including surveillance, and vehicle, foot, bike and ATV patrols. The officers worked closely with stakeholders which included loss prevention officers and business owners. This project was funded through the Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) program under the provincial government’s Safer Communities Action Plan.
Project highlights:
- 523 police files initiated
- 224 arrests (122 were outstanding wanted persons)
- weapon seizures (including two loaded sawed-off shotguns, imitation firearms, machetes, hatchets, bear spray, batons, throwing stars, knives, a spiked bat and a crossbow)
- recovery of stolen property
- drug and illegal cigarette seizures
- 106 violation tickets issued
- 8 impaired drivers prohibited from driving
- vehicle impounds and one car seized for civil forfeiture
In the first four months of 2023, Abbotsford had a 23.3% increase in crimes against persons. Comparatively, in 2024, after the project’s completion, the rate of increase fell to 6.8%. Police believe this is a direct result of targeted enforcement during this project.
