Two suspects arrested after house shot at in Abbotsford

5 December 2024

ON Thursday at 7:42 a.m., Abbotsford Police patrol officers responded to the 2100-block of Holly Street after receiving reports of shots being fired in the area. The suspects fled the area in a red sedan before police arrival.

Officers confirmed that a residence had been shot at, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Police believe this incident was targeted.

Just before 8 a.m., a vehicle fire was reported to police at the closed Bradner Rest Stop. Officers arrived and learned from witnesses that individuals were seen running from what is believed to be the suspect vehicle. A containment operation was set up, leading to a significant police presence in the area.

The Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service (IPDS) was called in to assist, resulting in two men being located and arrested. Those men currently remain in police custody. Investigators believe that a third suspect remains outstanding and was last seen in the area of Highway 1 and Bradner Road.

The Abbotsford Police’s Major Crime Unit is leading this investigation, with support from the Forensic Identification Unit and additional frontline officers. Investigators are asking for witnesses and any dashcam footage from drivers who were in the vicinity of both locations to come forward and speak to police.

Grace Lore stepping down as minister after being diagnosed with cancer

5 December 2024

B.C.’S Children and Family Development Minister Grace Lore, who is the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, announced on Thursday that she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer late last month.

She said in a statement: “This diagnosis was very sudden, and I am working with medical professionals to address this head-on, right away.

“I am temporarily stepping away from my role as Minister of Children and Family Development to look after my health. This file is so important and requires the full attention of someone to make the changes we need because kids need us to get it right.

“By stepping back, I will be able to focus solely on my treatment and recovery, so I can get back to doing this work as soon as possible. I am pleased to tell you that [MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain] Jodie Wickens will be taking on this role while I am away.”

Lore added: “I intend to participate in important votes in the House, to ensure the stability of our government and make sure we can be delivering on the priorities of British Columbians. Being an MLA and a minister, and helping people in my riding and across the province, is truly an honour. I’m committed to beating this cancer and getting back to work for British Columbians as soon as I can.”

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said: “On behalf of the BC Greens, I want to extend my sincere support to Grace Lore as she faces this difficult and worrisome diagnosis. We are all thinking of Grace and her family during this time, and we send our best wishes for her treatment and recovery. We look forward to seeing her back to full health and continuing to serve the people of British Columbia soon.”

Family seeks public’s help to find Avtar Chahal, 46, of Surrey

5 December 2024

Avtar Chahal Photo submitted by Chahal family

THE family of missing person Avtar Chahal, 46, is appealing to the public for help to find him. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall.

According to the family members, Avtar left home at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4. Delta Police found his car on Alex Fraser Bridge around 5-6 p.m. Surrey Police were informed and contacted the family.

He could be around the Alex Fraser Bridge area.

If you have any information, please contact Ranjit Chahal at (604) 862-4200.

International student Gurasis Singh from Punjab stabbed to death in Sarnia, Ontario

5 December 2024

GURASIS Singh, 22, a citizen of India who was an international student studying business at Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario, was stabbed to death on Sunday, December 1.

Crossley Hunter, 36, was arrested and charged with second degree murder in Singh’s death.

Sarnia Police said: “The accused and the victim were known to each other in that they shared space in the same rooming house.”

“Despite an arrest having been made, this complex investigation is ongoing. The Sarnia Police Criminal Investigations Division continues to gather all available evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding this criminal act and what, if any, motive may have existed that led to the murder of this young man. At this time, we do not believe this crime to be racially motivated. The SPS, in partnership and coordination with Lambton College, will continue our efforts to support Gurasis’ family and friends as they seek to navigate these tragic circumstances,” said Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis.

According to a media report from India, Gurasis had graduated from Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) in Baddowal, Ludhiana, and was pursuing post-graduation in business at Lambton College. He is survived by parents and his younger brother Manraj Singh who studies in Ludhiana.

His father, Charanjeet Singh, told the Indian Express: “Hours before our son was brutally murdered, he had spoken to us and was very happy. He was hoping to call us also to Canada soon and said that we would live together again as a family. He used to prepare for college in the night itself and prepare his meals. He had a long conversation with his mother also hours before being killed in sleep.”

Lambton College said in a statement: “Students are at the heart of Lambton College, and the loss of a student is a tragedy of the highest magnitude. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone impacted by this devastating loss.

“Lambton College has been in touch with the student’s family, and are working with them on funeral arrangements and repatriation.

“Support is being provided to members of the Lambton College community through the Counselling & Wellness Centre, Centre for Global Engagement, Lion’s Mind Peer Wellness Collective, and the Employee and Family Assistance Plan.

“We thank our Sarnia-Lambton community for its ongoing support, and ask that the privacy of the victim’s family, friends and classmates be respected during this difficult time.”

Lois Ann wrote on Facebook: “Some of my students are mourning the loss of one of their friends, Gurasis Singh, who was killed violently on Sunday in the early morning hours. I can’t imagine how his family is grieving; they entrusted their son to the safety of Canada and the Sarnia community.

“I hear Gurasis was known for comforting others in their time of need, and those who knew him here at Lambton are shaken at such a shocking sudden loss.

“My heart goes out to everyone touched by this terrible tragedy and who knew and loved Gurasis.”

Kawalpreet Singh Mann of Sarnia wrote on Facebook: “As an international student myself, this tragedy strikes a personal chord. We come to Canada hoping for opportunities and growth, but Gurasis’s story reminds us how vulnerable we truly are. Student safety, especially for international students, is often neglected. Many of us live in shared housing with strangers, with little to no safeguards in place.

“This is not just about one young life lost; it is a call to action for all of us. We must demand justice for Gurasis and push for systemic changes to ensure the safety of students in Canada. Institutions, landlords, and communities must step up to prioritize the well-being of those who leave everything behind to study here.”

Surrey ready for winter with snow-fighting equipment, online ‘Snow Plow Tracker’

5 December 2024

City of Surrey - Snow Operations — Mayor Brenda Locke (3rd from left) with councillors Mike Bose, Doug Elford and Rob Stutt. Photo: City of Surrey

THE City of Surrey’s snow-clearing crews are prepped and ready for winter with its salt supplies replenished, fleets winterized and snow response technologies activated. The online “Surrey Plow Tracker” returns this year that allows residents to keep tabs on where snow trucks are and to see which roads have been plowed. The tracker can be viewed here when plowing begins.

“Ensuring our 4,200 kilometres of roads are safe and passable this winter is a top priority for the City of Surrey,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke on Thursday. “I commend our incredible snow removal crew for their dedication keeping our priority roads clear. We all have a role to play in helping keep our community safe this winter. Please do your part to clear snow and ice from sidewalks outside your home and prepare your vehicle for winter driving.”

The City’s comprehensive winter road preparedness strategy includes a diverse 77-unit fleet, ready to clear snow and de-ice over 4,200 kilometres of roadway. To keep roads clear when snow falls, the City utilizes state-of-the-art technologies, such as the Road Weather Information System, Traffic Camera Network, and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Turn-by-Turn Route Assistance, all functioning together to establish the strongest municipal snow fighting network in the province.

The City’s focus is keeping priority roads as clear as possible to support public safety, ensure emergency services can respond quickly, and to maintain public transit and vehicle travel on main arterial roads.  The City uses a three-level priority system:

Priority one roads include arterial roads, major collector roads, bus routes and hilly areas

Priority two roads include access routes to secondary roads which connect local traffic with arterial or major collector roads

Priority three routes include the remaining residential roads, which are addressed in a systematic manner, starting with identified problem areas, once all other roads are cleared

More information about the City of Surrey’s snow removal and ice control plan is available at surrey.ca/snow.

Expect traffic delays this weekend downtown Vancouver

5 December 2024

TAYLOR S — Taylor Swift Photo credit: Paolo Villanueva

THE City of Vancouver is reminding all residents, visitors and businesses to expect traffic to be slower this weekend — Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8. Thousands of visitors will be coming downtown for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concerts as well as other events, games and festivities.

Plan ahead when travelling in, around and out of downtown, and expect delays especially near BC Place, Rogers Arena and Concord Pacific Place. Whenever possible walk, bike, roll, Mobi or take transit to and from downtown.

To accommodate larger crowds, TransLink is providing extra service across bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus on all three concert nights with a special Rogers West Coast Express ‘Midnight’ Train on Saturday, December 7. Visit TransLink.ca/servicechanges for more information.

Various concert-related road closures and passenger zones will be in effect from noon until midnight on Friday, December 6, Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8:

Full closure of the 700 and 800 blocks of Beatty Street between Smithe Street and West Georgia Street
Full closure of Pacific Boulevard from the Cambie Bridge off-ramp to Pat Quinn Way
Full closure of northbound Cambie Bridge off-ramp to Pacific Boulevard eastbound
Full closure of the 100 block of Robson Street between Cambie Street and Beatty Street

Local access to residences, hotels and parkades in the area will be maintained at all times.

Cambie and Hamilton streets from Smithe Street to West Georgia Street, along with Pacific Boulevard between Pat Quinn Way and Quebec Street will be designated passenger pick-up and drop-off zones, which drivers, taxis and ride shares can use for up to three minutes

Mobi by Rogers is helping to make biking to the events easier by ensuring dock availability near BC Place at the Dunsmuir and Beatty, Expo and Smithe, and Carrall and Seawall stations.

For more attendee information and a map of the Stadium District impacts and closures, visit bcplace.com/taylorswift.

Planned construction and development work continues around the city. Notable works with traffic impacts include:

Cambie Street Bridge: Reduced to one lane each way, to support ongoing deck rehabilitation work in addition to a concert-related closure of the northbound off-ramp from the bridge onto Pacific Boulevard from noon until midnight daily on December 6, 7, and 8.
Oak Street between West 64th and 70th Avenues: A minimum of one lane each direction will be open to support ongoing sewer upgrade work and scheduled crane activity on December 7.

WorkSafeBC urges workers, employers to prioritize safety while working from heights during holiday season

5 December 2024

WORKSAFEBC Ladder Safety during the Holidays — Photo: WorkSafeBC

21 workers lost their lives due to falls from heights in 2023

AS the holiday season approaches, WorkSafeBC advises workers and employers across all industries to take additional precautions when working at heights. Tasks such as installing festive decorations, performing outdoor construction, or maintaining property during the winter months can present fall hazards, especially in wet or icy conditions.

Falls from heights are a significant cause of workplace injuries in B.C. In 2023, WorkSafeBC accepted 4,520 claims for fall-related injuries, nearly 35 per cent of which were classified as serious. Tragically, 21 workers lost their lives due to falls from heights during the same year. While falls from heights occur across all sectors, the service and construction sectors see the highest number of injuries, accounting for 32 per cent and 27 per cent of claims, respectively.

“Primary causes of falls include improper ladder use, unguarded stairs, and inadequate or improper use of fall protection,” notes Suzana Prpic, Senior Manager of Prevention Field Services at WorkSafeBC. “These risks can be mitigated by implementing appropriate safety protocols and ensuring the proper use and maintenance of equipment.”

Employers are responsible for ensuring proper planning, supervision, training, and the use of fall protection to minimize or eliminate the risk of falls from ladders, structures, buildings, roofs, vehicles, and scaffolds.

“Managing risk in your workplace means identifying potential hazards to your workers and ensuring reasonable steps are taken to prevent harm,” says Prpic.

A key component of risk management is involving workers in identifying risk factors. As the individuals performing these tasks daily, they offer valuable insights into potential hazards and practical solutions. WorkSafeBC encourages employers to engage workers and joint health and safety committees early in the planning process to create effective and comprehensive risk management plans.

It is important to note that during the winter months, icy and wet conditions contribute to an increase in injuries due to falls. Changing workplace conditions, like the weather, means that risk assessments must be revisited on a regular basis.

Resources:

·Falls from elevation

·Fall Protection

·Slips, trips & falls

·Ladder safety resources

B.C. launches independent review of E-Comm 911 services

5 December 2024

NEWS NDP GARRY BEGG — Garry Begg Photo: NDP

THE Province is initiating an independent review of E-Comm and 911 service to ensure that there is a reliable and sustainable model for 911 services in British Columbia.

The review will examine and provide recommendations on the financial, governance and operational performance of Emergency Communications for British Columbia Incorporated (E-Comm), the non-profit organization that maintains the emergency radio system for police, fire and ambulance services.

“You can never predict when you’ll need emergency help, but if it happens, we need to ensure a dependable, reliable and accessible 911 system is there,” said Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “We are launching an independent review to understand the reasons behind ongoing cost increases, and to ensure these services remain effective and sustainable for years to come.”

The Province is conducting the review in response to concerns raised by the Union of BC Municipalities, the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, municipal police boards and emergency service providers about E-Comm’s lack of operational and financial transparency and performance, and escalating costs from unstainable levy increases.

The independent study will assess E-Comm’s financial sustainability, operational efficiency and governance structure, and will make recommendations for the future of 911 services in B.C. This includes a review of financial records for a deeper understanding behind the ongoing rise in costs to communities serviced by E-Comm, E-Comm’s financial forecasting, board management and governance. It will also include recommendations to inform changes that may be needed to ensure sustainable funding and operations for B.C.’s 911 and dispatch service delivery.

During the review, people will be able to access 911 services without disruption, and public safety will remain unaffected.

Quick Facts:

* On September 19, 2024, at the UBCM convention, Premier David Eby announced in his keynote address his intention to conduct an independent study into E-Comm to ensure that 911 services are effective and sustainable.

* The review is being conducted through the authority granted in Section 42 of the Police Act and will be initiated by the director of police services through a request for proposals.

* The review will not disrupt 911 service delivery and the next-generation 911 implementation process.

Surrey Police investigate pedestrian fatality

5 December 2024

A collision in the area of McBride Drive and King Road in Surrey has resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

On Wednesday, December 4 at approximately 5 p.m., a vehicle struck a pedestrian in the area of McBride Drive and King Road. The pedestrian, an adult man, was transported to hospital but later passed away. The driver remained at the scene of the collision.

BC RCMP Surrey Operations Support Unit officers responded and the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) was called in to assist. The investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing to determine the cause of the collision.

There is currently a road closure at McBride Drive and 114A Street and McBride Drive and King Road. The closures are expected to last several hours as ICARS officers conduct their investigation.

If you witnessed the collision or have any information, including dashcam footage, you are requested to call Surrey Police Service at 604-599-0502 and quote file 2024-177334 (SU).

VPD arrest suspect who sucker-punched stranger on West Georgia Street

4 December 2024

VANCOUVER Police on Wednesday said they have identified and arrested the suspect in an unprovoked stranger assault that occurred on West Georgia Street last week.

Police released security video of the November 28 assault on Tuesday, asking witnesses to come forward and for public assistance to identify the suspect. Late Tuesday afternoon, a VPD officer patrolling downtown spotted the suspect near Library Square and took him into custody.

The suspect remains in custody on other charges.

“This was a completely unprovoked and violent sucker-punch on a total stranger,” Sgt. Steve Addison said on Tuesday. “Given this level of random violence, we have serious concerns that another innocent person could be assaulted and badly injured by this suspect. It’s imperative that we work quickly to gather all evidence from eyewitnesses and take this person into custody as soon as possible.”

The 28-year-old victim was walking alone on West Georgia Street, in front the Hudson’s Bay, at 10:04 p.m. on Thursday, November 28, when a stranger lunged at him for no apparent reason, struck him in the face, and knocked him to the ground. The victim sustained facial injuries, but did not require hospitalization. The suspect ran toward Granville Street immediately after the assault.

The attack occurred close to a bus stop near West Georgia and Seymour Street, with more than a dozen people standing nearby. Several bystanders assisted the victim after he was knocked to the ground, while others flagged down VPD officers.

VPD’s Major Crime Section continues to investigate the November 28 assault. Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call 604-717-2541.

READ ALSO:

Vancouver Police seek witnesses to unprovoked assault downtown

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