Abbotsford Police have seized a sizable quantity of drugs after launching a new strategy to combat trafficking in Abbotsford's downtown core. Const. Ian MacDonald said the department's bike squad and beat team paired up and are targeting dealers in the area. The officers are using a variety of methods, such as possibly using undercover officers to make contact with drug traffickers and make arrests. The project started on Monday and is already making progress, said MacDonald. Within the first two days, officers seized 74 pieces of crack cocaine of various weights, 51 flaps of heroin, several thousand dollars in cash and five cellphones and electronic devices. "This is not a huge area, so in a two-day period, that's a pretty good haul," said MacDonald. [continues 76 words]
Whether you love him or hate him, Tim Felger is a poster boy for freedom of expression. When just one Canadian is being persecuted because he expresses controversial opinions, we are all at risk and our country is going to crap. The great philosopher Voltaire said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend with my life your right to say it." Those days are gone. Germany persecuted the Jews because they spoke out against Hitler at a time when the Nazis were popular. History proved the Jews right, but they paid a heavy price for speaking out. [continues 164 words]
No city should have to be labelled the "Murder Capital of Canada," especially considering that the name is a misnomer. It is not a title bestowed by Statistics Canada after analyzing the number of homicides in cities and regions in relation to population. Rather, it is a label given by the media as it reviews these stats. The title might just as easily be given to the area with the most murders, regardless of population. Or to the city, and not the CMA - such as Pitt Meadows - whose three homicides with 16,800 population gives it an alarming homicide rate. [continues 164 words]
The spiral of gang violence is the primary factor driving the high body count in Abbotsford, say the mayor and chief of police. While not denying the gravity of the problem, they suggest new statistics indicating Abbotsford-Mission per capita homicide rates are the highest in Canada are somewhat deceiving. However, both civic leaders agree six homicides in Abbotsford during 2008 is too many. "The numbers are alarming. No question about it. Sadly it doesn't look like our homicide rate will be much lower in 2009," said Mayor George Peary. [continues 682 words]
A provincial court judge gave an unusually stiff sentence to a minor for trafficking "hard" drugs at the skateboard park near the Abbotsford Recreation Centre. The 18-year-old youth pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin for the purpose of trafficking after selling drugs to an undercover officer. Judge Kenneth Skilnick noted the offender and his associates chose to deal drugs in the "heart of an area frequented by children and adolescents." He sentenced the young man, who cannot be named, to deferred custody and a supervision order of six months for the offence. [continues 84 words]
I am writing about the sentence passed to a young drug dealer who was selling his product at the skateboard park. Way to go, judge! I just hope that this deters others from selling drugs like cocaine and heroin, or anything else for that matter, to our youth. My kids, aged 10-14, frequent both skate parks, and I want to thank you for keeping our children safer. Harder sentences are needed to keep our kids safe. Too often, criminals find the back door, get a slap on the wrist and return to their old doings, thinking, "If that's all I get, then the punishment is worth the crime." I hope this judge sets an example for other judges. I want to be able to keep letting my kids out to play, and this is a step in the right direction. Good on you! Mother of three [end]
The two pink lines couldn't have been more bold. The home pregnancy test indicated that Roxanne Meer - 16 years old and a drug addict - was pregnant. She was living in a hotel with her 26-year-old boyfriend, "Jason." He was stunned at the news - Roxanne had been using the Depo Provera birth control injection - but said he would support her in whatever choice she made. In that moment, she wanted to get high. She also decided she wanted an abortion. [continues 545 words]
The City of Abbotsford is holding a hearing to determine if it will suspend the business licence of marijuana activist and political aspirant Tim Felger. Felger was arrested and charged with a number of drug offences for allegedly trafficking pot out of his downtown store to teenagers last month. Consequently, the city sent notice to Felger the business licence inspector is recommending the Da Kine store at 33772 Essendene Ave. be closed. At the hearing June 29, council will review the evidence gathered by police, hear from Felger and consider cancelling or suspending his licence. It will be closed to the public. [continues 160 words]
Drug abuse is a medical condition and should not be considered a criminal offence. I am so pleased to see more people having the courage to speak out against the drug wars that are killing our youth. Employing more police and building more jails just creates a community of criminals. Portugal decriminalized drugs in 2001, crime has dropped, drug abuse has dropped. The issue has been studied to death and history proves prohibition does not work. The regulation and tax of drugs, education and harm reduction will lower crime and drug abuse. [continues 78 words]
Abbotsford marijuana activist Tim Felger is out on bail following recent drug charges for allegedly selling pot to teens out of his downtown store. Felger was released from custody Monday afternoon. The Abbotsford drug squad raided the Da Kine shop on Essendene Avenue on May 13. Felger was charged with one count of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, and six counts of trafficking. The infamous Da Kine store, which sells drug paraphernalia, is plastered with signs decrying the drug war and calling for an end to drug prohibition. [continues 420 words]
In her letter decrying the evils of drug-law abolition, ("A crime is a crime," May 22), Louise Fribance brings up some of the central arguments made by both sides of the issue at stake, but she does not address even a single one of them by exposing, acknowledging or dealing with any of the facts. Fribance writes: "How many people, compared to smokers and drinkers, use marijuana and other drugs? A few, comparatively." Really? More than one-third of all Canadians over the age of 16 have used cannabis at least once. [continues 254 words]
Tuesday, May 19 will remain forever as one of the happiest days of my life. The editorial "Sober context to bust" is the first time I have noted such genuine information, wisdom and reality concerning the war on drugs as being a hopeless, self-contradicting enterprise in a respected medium. "Prohibition is not effective." If only the people in power will listen to this message and accept it. I have been advocating the folly of prohibition for over 40 years. A few examples of support: [continues 220 words]
The drug trade and prostitution on the streets of downtown Abbotsford is driving the owner of at least one business out of the downtown area. After four frustrating years, Nina Lehtonen said she's going to have to set up her McCallum Road pet grooming shop, Fetching Fur, in her carport. "Crackheads and hookers hanging out in this area are affecting our business big time," said Lehtonen. "... I am forced to move." She said some customers won't patronize her store, located in a small strip mall at the corner of McDougall Avenue, when they see people using drugs, or sleeping against the wall. [continues 554 words]
In reference to the Tim Felger arrest for trafficking in marijuana. (Allegedly) dealing to kids wasn't wise, but overall I would say after numerous discussions with the man, I believe his philosophy on the drug wars is correct. A huge percentage of my tax dollars are spent on a useless drug war that was started by the very people who created the problem. If politicians make cigarettes and glasses of wine or gin and tonics at dinner illegal substances, we can guarantee the same liquor and smoke war in three years. [continues 257 words]
It never fails to amaze me when the solution to everything is to lower the bar and take the easy way out. Legalizing marijuana (and other drugs to follow) is the easy way out. How many people, compared to smokers and drinkers, use marijuana and other drugs? A few, comparatively. I know it looks like there are a lot of users, but that is because all the media attention is concentrated on the small number. How many students smoke and drink? Quite a few, I would think. That is because both these substances are legal and available. [continues 258 words]
We have no sympathy for Tim Felger. The marijuana activist arrested yet again last week is the architect of his own misfortune in terms of attracting the attention of police. Felger makes his own choices in terms of what he does and sells in his Da Kine store. And if found guilty of pot trafficking, those choices will be grievous, particularly given his previous drug conviction. That said, there is a certain irony in Felger's bust juxtaposed with a Statistics Canada report, released the same day, that listed Abbotsford as being among the top five cities in the country for drug crime rates. [continues 313 words]
Teens involved in petty drug dealing could be targets in the ongoing war between the UN and Red Scorpions gangs, warns Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich. Looking to save kids involved in the street level drug trade from becoming victims in the region's gang war, Abbotsford Police have set up a youth help line, Rich announced at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium Thursday. All four of the young men recently murdered in Abbotsford were selling drugs at a low level, and all four were considered associated with the Red Scorpions, Rich stated. [continues 400 words]
Abbotsford Police arrested marijuana activist and recent political candidate Tim Felger at his downtown store Wednesday evening. Wielding a warrant issued under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, patrol officers and the drug squad busted the Da Kine shop on Essendene Avenue just after 5 p.m. Abbotsford Police Sgt. Howard Olson said Felger sells drug paraphernalia out of the shop front. "I don't know specifically what was found. I know drug product as well as paraphernalia was seized." He did not say what charges, if any, Felger would be facing. [continues 121 words]
The Abbotsford board of education plans to resume searches by drug detection dogs this fall, and that has the B.C. Civil Liberties Association scrutinizing a Supreme Court of Canada ruling. That decision determined that police cannot use random dog searches to find drugs at schools or in public places, except airports. Searches were last in place at Abbotsford middle and high schools in the 2005-06 school year, on a random basis, but were halted after the private company contracted for the work had some of its dogs stolen, said Kevin Godden, acting secretary-treasurer for the school district. [continues 377 words]
Civil libertarians argue that drug dogs should not be allowed into schools. Similarly, some parents and students agree this a violation of privancy rights. Nonetheless, there may be searches by drug detection dogs in Abbotsford middle and secondary schools, if the local board of education determines it to be within the confines of the law. As recently as last Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled the random use of drug-sniffing dogs is unconstitutional. The case involved an unexpected visit by a trained police dog to a Sarnia high school, where it sniffed backpacks in an empty gymnasium. One was found to contain marijuana and magic mushrooms. The young owner was acquitted of trafficking charges, because the high court ruled he had been charged after a warrantless search. [continues 273 words]
