Security footage of suspect in unprovoked attack released by Vancouver police

24-year-old was attacked from behind as she walked home on Saturday, police say
CBC News · Posted: Feb 16, 2021 1:57 PM PT | Last Updated: February 16

Police released security footage of a suspect who allegedly attacked a woman in Vancouver's West End on Feb. 13, 2021. (Vancouver Police Department)

Police have released security footage of a man suspected of attacking a woman unprovoked in Vancouver's West End on Saturday. Officers are hoping someone can identify the suspect.

The woman, who had been shopping on Davie Street, was tackled from behind at 9:40 p.m. PT as she walked down Maxine Lane, which is the south lane of Burnaby Street. The man grabbed her from behind and they both fell to the ground.

The 24-year-old woman screamed and the suspect ran off toward Bute Street.

"This investigation has undoubtedly created concern in the community," Const. Tania Visintin wrote in a statement. "We want to identify this individual as soon as possible. Investigators ask everyone to take a good look at this footage, and to call us if they know who this is."

Police said in a statement Tuesday the suspect is believed to be white, about five feet 11 inches tall and in his mid 40s. He was wearing a waist-length black leather jacket, dark pants and a dark face mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD's Special Investigations Section at 604-717-0602 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8466.

Bus trip to Whistler among recent travel-related COVID-19 exposure warnings posted in B.C.

Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
@AlyseKotyk Contact
Published Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:50PM PST

Travellers at Vancouver International Airport are seen on Oct. 1, 2020.

VANCOUVER -- Several more flights have been added to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's COVID-19 exposure warning list, along with one bus trip in the Lower Mainland.

Details about six flights and the bus trip were posted by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control on Sunday and Monday.

The bus, operated by Epic Rides Bus Line, departed from Vancouver for Whistler on Jan. 29.

The resort town has recently experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases, with 547 cases of the disease recorded between Jan. 1 and Feb. 2. That's more than double the 271 cases recorded in the municipality throughout all of 2020.

In addition, the flights in and out of B.C. most recently added to the exposure warning list are:

• Feb. 1: Lufthansa flight 492/Air Canada flight 9101 from Frankfurt to Vancouver

• Feb. 1: Air Canada flight 223 from Calgary to Vancouver

• Feb. 2: Air Canada flight 554 from Vancouver to Los Angeles

• Feb. 3: AerioMexico flight 696 from Mexico City to Vancouver

• Feb. 4: Air Canada flight 115 from Toronto to Vancouver

• Feb. 6: KLM flight 681 from Amsterdam to Vancouver

Domestic travellers are not required to quarantine in B.C., but health officials have advised against non-essential travel within Canada for months.

Anyone arriving internationally, however, must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. They're also required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight, but that test can be taken up to 72 hours before they take off.

Anyone who was on one of the affected flights should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, seeking testing and self-isolating if any develop.

B.C. health officials do not directly contact everyone who was on a flight with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Instead, public notifications are posted on the BCCDC's website. 

Man allegedly chased people with knife in New Westminster; assault charges laid

Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
@AlyseKotyk Contact
Published Monday, February 1, 2021 11:46AM PST

New Westminster police. (New Westminster Police/Facebook)

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. -- A man has been charged after allegedly chasing two people in New Westminster with a knife late last month, police say.

According to the New Westminster Police Department, officers were called at about 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 21. A man and his friend were walking along 8th Street, when another man they didn't know allegedly began chasing them with a knife.

Officers arrived on scene and found the man "by following the sounds of screaming," the department said.

Police say when they found him, the man was carrying a 10-inch knife. They told the man to drop the weapon and he was arrested without incident.

"These men did the right thing in calling 911," said Sgt. Sanjay Kumar in a news release.

"If you see someone with what you believe to be a weapon and their behaviour is making you fear for your safety, call us right away."

A 31-year-old New Westminster resident, Aaron Smith, was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon.

Anyone with more information on the incident is asked to call NWPD at 604-525-5411. 

Richmond shooting: 'Exchange of gunfire' between 2 vehicles; witnesses sought

Kendra Mangione Producer, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
@kendramangione Contact
Published Monday, February 1, 2021 1:18PM PST

RCMP (File - Sean Amato/CTV News)

VANCOUVER -- Police are looking for witnesses following an early-morning shooting in Richmond.

In a statement Monday morning, the Richmond RCMP said officers were called to a residential area in the east at 12:30 a.m.

According to Mounties, reports suggest there was an "exchange of gunfire between the occupants of two separate vehicles" on Chaldecott Drive near Rathburn Drive.

The drivers and any passengers of the vehicles sped off as police arrived, the RCMP said.

It is early in the investigation, but so far there have been no reports of injuries.

In the RCMP statement, Cpl. Ian Henderson said officers will be in the area Monday speaking to those who live near the scene.

"Police are asking witnesses to come forward. Residents in the area are also encouraged to check their home surveillance and vehicle dash cams to see if they may have captured the incident on video," Henderson said.

Those with more information are asked to call police or Crime Stoppers. The file number is 2021-2939.

Victim called 911 after targeted shooting in Langley parkade, RCMP say

Maria Weisgarber Multi-skilled Journalist, CTV News Vancouver
@ctv_mariaw Contact
Published Monday, January 18, 2021 4:52PM PST

Police respond to a 911 call after a man was shot in the parkade of a residential building in Langley in the early hours of Jan. 18, 2021.

LANGLEY, B.C. -- A man who was shot multiple times in the underground parkade of a residential building in Langley made the 911 call that brought emergency crews to his aid, according to the RCMP.

The 27 year-old Langley resident was rushed to hospital with critical injuries following the shooting, which police believe was targeted. It happened at a condo complex on 201A Street and 56th Avenue. The man is expected to survive.

Cpl. Holly Largy with Langley RCMP said the 911 call came in just after midnight in the early hours of Monday morning and police were not able to get much information from the man before he was taken in for surgery, however he is known to them. 

“I don’t want to say we’re at a standstill, but we have to wait until we can speak to the victim,“ she said. “So a good chunk of the evidence we’re going to get and where we go from here, our next steps, are going to come from that interview.” 

Cpl. Largy said it was too early to say if the shooting is part of the ongoing and deadly Metro Vancouver gang conflict, which has been linked to a number of recent shootings. 

“Anytime we have a shooting, it’s concerning. This one, more concerning because we’re inside a residential building,” she said. “It just goes to show that the people involved in this conflict don’t care.”

Investigators will be canvassing the area looking for any video evidence, and they’re asking anyone with dash cam video or their own security video to get in touch. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200. Tips can also be left anonymously with Crime Stoppers.

Vancouver police search for suspect, victim after homeless woman's blankets set on fire while she slept

Maria Weisgarber Multi-skilled Journalist, CTV News Vancouver
@ctv_mariaw Contact
Published Tuesday, January 12, 2021 12:09PM PST

VANCOUVER -- Vancouver Police are looking for the public's help to track down a suspect after a homeless woman's blankets were set on fire while she was sleeping.

The arson happened on Dec. 13 around 4 a.m. In a news release, Sgt. Steve Addison said luckily the woman woke up just in time to put out the flames.

"A few more seconds and this could have been tragic," he said.

Security video released by the police showed a man wearing what's described as a "unique black and white Oakland Raiders jacket" approach the victim, who was sleeping on Hamilton Street near the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

The video shows him crouched down, and then a bright flame appears before he walks away. In a subsequent image from the video, the flames have grown much larger and the woman is seen walking around the fire.

Police said the woman has not reported the incident to police, and has not yet been located, but they are hoping to speak to her. They described her as being in her 30s, with dark shoulder-length hair. At the time, she was wearing a grey, full-length button-up jacket.

They said the suspect is white, between 35 and 50 years old, between 5'5" and 5'10".

"This was a shocking attack that targeted a vulnerable member of our community, and we hope the public can help solve this crime," Addison said in the emailed release.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crime Section at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-669-8477.  

Suspicious package investigation temporarily suspends SeaBus service in Vancouver

Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
@AlyseKotyk Contact
Published Tuesday, January 12, 2021 8:15AM PST
Last Updated Tuesday, January 12, 2021 9:01AM PST

Waterfront Station in Vancouver on Jan. 12, 2021.

VANCOUVER -- The SeaBus connecting downtown Vancouver to the North Shore was temporarily suspended Tuesday morning while police investigated a suspicious package at Waterfront Station.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police tweeted shortly before 8 a.m. that the station was closed. About 30 minutes later, TransLink tweeted that all services had resumed. 

Transit police told CTV News the closure was due to a suspicious package that turned out to be some scrap metal. 

During the temporary closure the Expo Line and Canada Line were both still operating and a bus bridge was set up on Cordova Street for those heading to North Vancouver.   

Wind, rainfall warnings issued for Metro Vancouver for Tuesday

CTVNewsVancouver.ca Staff
Contact
Published Monday, January 4, 2021 4:30PM PST

Environment Canada issued two warnings for wind and rain Monday afternoon, saying an intense front will approach Vancouver Island early Tuesday and move east.

VANCOUVER -- Tuesday is set to be wet and windy across Metro Vancouver.

Environment Canada issued two warnings Monday afternoon, saying an intense front will approach Vancouver Island early Tuesday and move east.

“This will bring rain and wind for most of Tuesday with the heaviest rain expected in the afternoon and evening,” the warning says.

Strong winds are set to begin around noon Tuesday and ease later in the evening. Speeds of around 70 km/h are expected near exposed coastal areas.

Heavy rain will also begin around late morning over the North Shore, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge. It's expected some areas could see up to 60 millimetres of rain by late evening.

Environment Canada is warning of possible localized flooding in low-lying areas.

The rain is set to end by early Wednesday morning.

Suspicious fire behind Delta thrift store under police investigation

Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
@AlyseKotyk Contact
Published Monday, December 28, 2020 11:11AM PST

Police in Delta say they're investigating a fire from Dec. 27, 2020. (Heather Fuhrman/Submitted)

VANCOUVER -- Police in Delta say they're investigating a suspicious fire that damaged a thrift store.

Officers were called to Delta Street near 48 Avenue in Ladner at about 11 Sunday night after a fire was started in a dumpster behind a building. 

The rear wall and roof of the building eventually caught fire before it was extinguished. The thrift store was most significantly impacted, but other nearby units were also damaged by smoke.

"Fortunately there was no one who had to be evacuated from the property, and no one was reported injured during this incident," said Cris Leykauf, spokesperson for Delta police, in a news release. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but police are calling the blaze suspicious. 

Anyone who was in the area and saw suspicious behaviour or anyone with dash cam video is asked to contact Delta police at 604-946-4411. 

Pedestrian dies after being hit by a vehicle at a crosswalk in Richmond

Angela Jung
Published Sunday, December 27, 2020 4:07PM PST
Last Updated Sunday, December 27, 2020 6:39PM PST

VANCOUVER -- A woman who was hit by a vehicle while crossing at a marked crosswalk and has died from the injuries, according to Richmond RCMP.

It happened just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday near No. 2 Road and Andrews Road in Richmond, prompting officers to cordon off the area for several hours as they investigated.

Cst. Kenneth Lau said the pedestrian was walking in the marked crosswalk when she was hit.

She was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries but has since died.

“A very unfortunate situation for everyone involved, but my thoughts are primarily with the victim's family and the victim, and also the driver because it is a tragic event and I'm sure nobody has the intention to go out and be involved in anything like this,” Lau told CTV News.

A silver SUV with flashing hazard lights could be seen between police tape at the scene of the accident on Saturday.

Lau said the driver is cooperating with police, and said speed and alcohol have been ruled out.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

“This is a season where we all have to be extra careful, because the road conditions aren't ideal, the sun goes down earlier at night so there are driver visibility issues” he said.

“Drivers please take the extra time to slow down as you approach the intersection to give yourself more reaction time. Make sure you look for pedestrians and make eye contact with them.”

According to a BC Coroners Service report, over the last decade, January, November and December are the months which see the highest number of deadly pedestrian-involved collisions.

The Richmond RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team has taken over the investigation and the Integrated Construction Analysis and Reconstruction Service is assisting.

Any witnesses and drivers with dash-cam video are asked to contact Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to leave an anonymous tip.

Multi-vehicle collision involving Vancouver police cruiser sends several to hospital

By John Copsey Global News
Posted December 17, 2020 10:24 pm

A multi-vehicle collision involving a police cruiser on Vancouver’s west side sent a number of people to hospital Thursday evening.

Vancouver police spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin told Global News that officers in an unmarked police car were driving with lights and sirens on to a domestic assault in progress.

While en route, a collision occurred on West Broadway near Burrard Street between a police vehicle and a civilian vehicle, Visintin said.

Everyone involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for assessment.

Vancouver property taxes will be hiked the maximum amount recommended in 2021

Kendra Mangione Producer, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
@kendramangione Contact
Published Wednesday, December 9, 2020 9:49AM PST
Last Updated Wednesday, December 9, 2020 1:22PM PST

VANCOUVER -- Homeowners in B.C.'s most populous city will be paying higher property taxes in the coming year.

The City of Vancouver approved Tuesday an operating budget of $1.6 billion for 2021, which includes a five per cent property tax hike.

Council had been asked to consider hikes of three per cent, 4.3 per cent and five per cent. The lower increases would mean fewer city services and projects, and the lowest would mean layoffs, those behind the report suggested.

Councillors opted for the highest hike, which will account for a half per cent property tax change going from non-residential to residential buildings.

Here are some examples of how much more homeowners can expect to pay this year:

• For a single-family home assessed at $1.6 million, taxes will go up by $146;

• Owners of a condo assessed at $688,000 will pay $64 more; and

• A commercial property assessed at $1 million will cost $166 more in taxes.

How much someone actually pays will be based on the assessed value of their property and those nearby, and these estimates are just property tax, and don't include other costs like utility fees and school taxes.

The latest budget is $19 million less than 2020's, or about one per cent lower.

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said earlier this year he'd been expecting $60 million from the federal government to help avoid going into debt due to expenses related to COVID-19. Instead, the city will be getting just $16 million from Ottawa.

Initial estimates suggested the only way Vancouver could stay out of debt without going into its reserves was with a 12 per cent property tax hike – an option that was not considered. Instead, the city says it's expecting to use $34 million of reserve funding to offset the budget shortfall.

Stewart noted he felt a seven per cent property tax increase last year was too high, and he did not want to go above five per cent this year.

Even with the increase, some projects and initiatives will be put off, and service impacts are expected.

“You can see where this property tax discussion comes down to. If we go too much lower than five per cent we’ll have to cut services which would include police, library, park board, engineering. So it’s a really tough balance, I think we have hit it," Stewart told CTV News Wendesday.

“I know not all councillors are happy with that, but in the middle of COVID I think we did the best we could do."

Winter break extension: B.C. universities delay return to class amid COVID-19 pandemic

Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
@AlyseKotyk Contact
Published Monday, December 7, 2020 1:56PM PST

Simon Fraser University is seen in the photo taken from CTV News Vancouver's Chopper 9 in June 2019. (Pete Cline)

VANCOUVER -- With winter break approaching for colleges and universities, some institutions are choosing to extend the time off amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, the University of British Columbia announced it'll extend its winter break later into January in an effort to "alleviate the pressure" on the community.  

The term at UBC will start on Jan. 11 for most students at both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, rather than Jan 4. Some programs that can't accommodate a late start will stick to their original schedule, however. 

Capilano University also announced last Thursday it's extending its winter break by a week to Jan. 11. 

Reading break will not be delayed, however, and will still be during the week of Feb. 15, the university said in a statement. The terms also won't be condensed, and the last day of classes will be April 16. 

"This one-week delayed start provides faculty with additional time to prepare for the beginning of the new term in a remote, adapted model and for university staff and administrators to contribute to a smooth start to the term," the university's statement said. 

"Students will have a longer break between terms to rejuvenate, and more time to prepare for classes."

Late last month, Simon Fraser University announced its own winter break extension, also to Jan. 11. 

"We recognize everyone is tired as we deal with the changes this pandemic has brought to how we teach, how you learn, and how we all connect with each other," said a statement from the school's academic vice president, Dr. Catherine Dauvergne.

"Delaying the start of classes will give you more time over the winter break to rest and reconnect with family and friends."

The delay means exams will start a bit later, as will the summer term.

Previously, the University of Northern British Columbia said it wouldn't extend the winter break, citing concerns it could disrupt the schedule and cause further stress. But in a statement on Monday, Geoff Payne, interim president, said staff is rethinking the January start date and is a proposing a delay to the university's senate. 

"There is no perfect decision in these very uncertain and difficult times; know that I, along with the executive team strive to balance the ever-changing circumstances and information to make the best decisions for our entire community," Payne said in a statement. 

That meeting and vote with the senate is expected to take place this week. 

So far, Langara College, BCIT, Vancouver Community College and Kwantlen Polytechnic University have not announced winter break extensions. Many courses at those institutions will be offered online for the term, however. 

Public elementary schools and high schools also haven't announced changes to their winter break, though B.C.'s top doctor has repeatedly said officials are looking at all options. 

"It's incredibly important for families and for children to have in-person, in-class (education), but we're looking at all of our options," Henry said in a news conference last month about the possibility of a longer break.

With files from The Canadian Press 

British Columbians could be fined $230 for not wearing a mask in indoor, public spaces

By Richard Zussman Global News
Posted November 24, 2020 5:15 pm

Anyone who is caught without a mask in an indoor public place or who refuses to comply with the mandatory mask policy in B.C. will be handed a $230 fine.

The province made the announcement Tuesday afternoon, as health officials reported a staggering 941 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 new deaths.

As of Nov. 19, masks are required to be worn in almost all indoor public places.

A fine can also be issued if someone refuses to leave a public place or responds with abusive or belligerent behaviour when asked to wear a mask where required.

“These measures give police and other enforcement officials the tools to intervene with and penalize problematic individuals and groups,” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said.

“Businesses should provide signage on the mandatory mask policy and inform customers about the requirement. Of course, despite any range of efforts, some people will break the rules knowing full well what they’re doing.”

The law requires people to wear masks in the following places:

• Malls, shopping centres, coffee shops, and retail and grocery stores

• Liquor and drug stores

• Airports, city halls, libraries, and community and recreation centres

• Restaurants, pubs and bars

• Places of public worship

• On public transit and in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle

• Common areas of office buildings, courthouses, hospitals and hotels

• Common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity

• Common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry was reluctant to put in a mandatory mask policy but decided to support the policy after concerns were raised by businesses about enforcing a mask requirement.

Working with public health officials, Emergency Management BC anticipates issuing further orders to enforce requirements for masks in common areas of apartment buildings, condos and workplaces.

The law defines a mask or face covering as a medical or non-medical mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields are not a substitute for a mask, as there is an opening below the mouth.

Anyone 12 years of age and older will be legally required to wear a mask. Those over the age of 2 years old are being encouraged to wear a mask but are not legally required.

People who cannot wear a mask or who cannot put on or remove a mask without the assistance of others are exempt. The province notes a person may not be able to wear a mask for a psychological, behavioural or health condition, or due to a physical, cognitive or mental impairment.

Masks may be removed temporarily in indoor public places to identify the individual wearing the mask, to consume food or beverage at a location designated for this purpose, while participating in a sport or fitness activity in a sport facility or while receiving a personal or health service that requires the mask to be removed.

“Education is key, which is why we’re having businesses review their plans and getting the word out to communities in several languages,” Farnworth said.

“Businesses should provide signage on the mandatory mask policy and inform customers about the requirement. Of course, despite any range of efforts, some people will break the rules knowing full well what they’re doing. These measures give police and other enforcement officials the tools to intervene with and penalize problematic individuals and groups.”

To report non-emergency contraventions of this mask order, people are asked to contact their local government’s bylaw office.

Local bylaw officers can help follow-up on concerns and engage police departments and WorkSafe BC as necessary.

If they are unable to reach a local bylaw office, they can contact their local police department’s non-emergency line. Police may be called if someone has become threatening or abusive in response to a request to put on a mask.

Masks are not recommended for children under the age of two, but should be encouraged for children aged two to 12 in public settings. Children over 12 must wear a mask in a public indoor space, unless they are exempt.

Between Aug. 21 and Nov. 20, 59 violation tickets were issued for other COVID-related infractions.

This including 25 $2,300 tickets to owners or organizers contravening the PHO’s order on gatherings and events, nine $2,300 violation tickets for contravention of the PHO Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order and 25 $230 tickets issued to individuals who refuse to comply with direction from law enforcement.

COVID-19 exposures: Multiple warning notices posted for B.C. grocery stores and pharmacies

Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
Published Tuesday, November 17, 2020 11:19AM PST
Last Updated Tuesday, November 17, 2020 11:46AM PST

Man cleans shopping cart in this undated image. (Shutterstock)

VANCOUVER -- Several COVID-19 exposure notices have been posted online for B.C. grocery stores in the past few days.

Parent companies Sobeys and Loblaws posted multiple notices each, warning customers that employees have tested positive for the disease at some of their stores.

The latest warnings are for:

• Shoppers Drug Mart at 20159 88th Ave. in Langley. A notice was posted on Nov. 14; the employee last worked on Nov. 9.

• FreshCo at 7450 120 St. in Surrey. A notice was posted on Nov. 14; the employee last worked on Nov. 10.

• FreshCo at 32500 Fraser Way in Abbotsford. A notice was posted on Nov. 15; the employee last worked on Nov. 11.

• FreshCo at 7165 138 St. in Surrey. A notice was posted on Nov. 15; the employee last worked on Nov. 8.

• Real Canadian Superstore at 45779 Luckakuck Way in Chilliwack. A notice was posted on Nov. 16; the employee last worked on Nov. 9.

• Real Canadian Superstore at 333 Seymour Blvd. in North Vancouver. A notice was posted on Nov. 16; the employee last worked on Nov. 9.

• No Frills at 3455 Johnston Rd. in Port Alberni. A notice was posted on Nov. 16; the employee last worked on Nov. 13.

• Independent Grocer at 1255 Davie St. in Vancouver. A notice was posted on Nov. 16; the employee last worked on Nov. 6.

• Real Canadian Superstore at 2855 Gladwin Rd. in Abbotsford. A notice was posted on Nov. 16; the employee last worked on Nov. 13.

• Real Canadian Superstore at 19851 Willowbrook Dr. A notice was posted on Nov. 17 about four team members who last worked on Nov. 6, Nov. 9, Nov. 10 and Nov. 13.

• Shoppers Drug Mart at 6060 Minoru Blvd. in Richmond. A notice was posted on Nov. 17; the employee last worked on Nov. 7.

While B.C.'s health officials have imposed temporary restrictions across the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, many businesses are still open. 

Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest public health order applies to group fitness classes, but the top doctor said last week the vast majority of businesses "can and should continue to stay open with their safety measures in place."

Under that new order, however, businesses must review their health and safety plans to ensure they protect workers and customers from COVID-19. Businesses are also encouraged to keep their employees working from home whenever possible.  

COVID-19 safety plans must include measures to prevent crowding in high-risk spaces including elevators, lobbies, stairwells, corridors, bathrooms, break rooms and kitchens. 

Human remains found in recycling bin near Vancouver beach

CTVNewsVancouver.ca Staff
Contact
Published Monday, October 19, 2020 1:18PM PDT

The waters off Kits Point in Vancouver, B.C. are seen in an undated Google Maps image.

VANCOUVER -- Police are investigating after human remains were found inside a recycling bin near a popular Vancouver beach.

Authorities said the Canadian Coast Guard retrieved the bin on Sunday morning after multiple people called to report seeing it in the waters off Kits Point.

Coroners determined the bins contained human remains.

Few other details have been released, but Vancouver police have described the case as a homicide. Investigators have also asked the public to check for a missing recycling bin where they live.

"We are asking property managers for multi-dwelling buildings and local residents to check their recycling and garbage rooms to see if any large, blue, wheeled recycling containers are missing," Const. Tania Visintin said in a news release.

Authorities are also looking to speak with anyone else who saw the bin floating on the water.

This is a developing story and will be updated. 

Three-alarm fire in Vancouver damages multiple Cambie Street businesses

By Jon Azpiri Global News
Posted October 15, 2020 8:02 am

Firefighters say a three-alarm fire damaged multiple businesses on Cambie Street on Thursday morning.

Crews are battling a large fire near Cambie St. and King Edward Ave. in Vancouver. Global News

The fire in the area of Cambie Street and King Edward Avenue started around 2 a.m., affecting the Copa Cafe and surrounding businesses.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Asst. Chief Dan Stroup said battling the fire has been challenging as flames made their way into an attic, jumped the firewall, and continued to spread.

“We’re trying to stop it from jumping building to building,” he said.

About 40 firefighters were on the scene Thursday morning.

There were no reports of injuries.

People who live nearby are asked to keep their windows closed.

Firefighters said they expect to be at the scene for much of the day. Commuters were asked to avoid the area as a portion of Cambie Street is closed to traffic and not expected to reopen for some time.

Mall employee in Metro Vancouver tests positive for COVID-19

Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
Published Wednesday, August 19, 2020 10:02AM PDT

The Guildford area of Surrey. (Chopper 9/Pete Cline)

VANCOUVER -- An employee at a Metro Vancouver mall tested positive for COVID-19, the shopping centre has confirmed.

Guildford Town Centre in Surrey posted to Twitter Monday confirming that an employee at the mall tested positive for the virus. 

The mall did not say which store the employee works at or when they tested positive. A post does say, however, that "the person is no longer in the shopping centre and has not been in the centre since Aug. 11."

"Rest assured that we have been following protocols and guidelines to respond to this situation including all cleaning requirements by a cleaning contractor trained to respond to the situation, in the areas under its control," the post from the mall's Twitter account says. 

Other Metro Vancouver malls have posted similar messages in recent weeks 

Last Thursday, Cadillac Fairview confirmed that there were possible exposures to COVID-19 at the Bell Mobility and Saje stores in downtown Vancouver's Pacific Centre. 

The mall said it implemented special cleaning procedures in common areas during the pandemic, and has installed handwashing instructions in all washrooms.

And, just days before that, Metropolis at Metrotown said a staff member at the Burnaby mall also tested positive. 

In a series of tweets, Metrotown said staff followed protocols and guidelines in its response, including cleaning requirements outlined by a contractor trained to respond to COVID-19 exposures.

With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kendra Mangione

CRA hack – how to protect yourself

Ross McLaughlin Consumer Reporter, CTV News Vancouver
Published Monday, August 17, 2020 11:45AM PDT
Last Updated Monday, August 17, 2020 11:47AM PDT

VANCOUVER -- Did you know, according to Dashlane, the average user has about 90 online accounts? That’s a lot of passwords to manage.

Multiple data breaches have exposed billions of passwords and email addresses and have given hackers and thieves the necessary tools to leverage that information against you.

All those passwords and email addresses are often shared and sold on the dark web. That’s why it’s so important to regularly change your passwords.

“Most of the people reuse passwords, so most likely if they are a regular user and they have one set of passwords from one site, that password is most likely going to be reused on all sites,” said Doug Santos, a security strategist for Fortiguard.

And avoid passwords that contain any personal information.

“Those things are so easy to guess, especially for people in my generation that are so invested in social media and you can just creep anyone and go okay there’s your cousin, there’s your dad, there’s your car, there’s your pet,” said Sara, an online user in her 20’s, who stopped to talk to CTV News Vancouver about how she locks down her data.

Some passwords tips from experts include:

- Never use personal data in a password like, a pet’s name, birthdate, or family names

- Don’t reuse passwords

- Don’t recycle passwords by just modifying it by adding a letter or number.

According to Tech Insider, an 11 character password can be cracked by hackers in three days by using a computer program that can make 1,000 guesses per second; while a 25 character pass phrase can take up to 550 years to crack, using the same system.

“Oh wow,” said Akash, another young man who has multiple online accounts.

When choosing a pass phrase, try to come up with random words that only you can remember and then string them together to create something as long as 25 characters or more.

However, your online account may limit the number of characters you can use, so follow the instructions to include as many special characters, numbers, and capitalized letters as you can. Better yet, it’s recommended to use a password manager to help store and create strong passwords for you.

You can also set up two factor authentication for your online accounts. That requires you to receive a special verification via email or text. Some people have also switched to using authentication apps which have proven even more secure. They are software or hardware based and linked to a device you own. They have proven more difficult to intercept than a text message. Check with your online account to see if they are supported.

And make sure you are running an anti-virus program and take the time to manage your online data. It’s important to delete accounts you are no longer using. However, some providers make it difficult to delete an account, if they even allow you to do it at all. So, make sure you delete any personal data from online accounts you aren’t using and can’t delete, so even if it’s hacked, nothing valuable can be used against you.

It will take some time, but once you’re on top of it, it will become easier if you make data and password management part of your regular routine.

This story has been previously published June, 2019 

1 infant at Vancouver newborn ICU positive for COVID-19, B.C.'s top doctor says

Ian HollidayReporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 
Alyse Kotyk Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca 

Published Friday, July 17, 2020 1:23PM PDT
Last Updated Friday, July 17, 2020 3:47PM PDT

VANCOUVER -- B.C.'s top doctor says one infant has tested positive for COVID-19 at a Vancouver hospital where an outbreak was declared in the neonatal intensive care unit Thursday.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed the new outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital at a last-minute news conference Friday afternoon. She also announced 28 new cases of COVID-19 in the province.

The outbreak was reported Thursday afternoon, after the daily coronavirus update from Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix. Outbreak protocols have been enacted and the unit has been closed for cleaning, Vancouver Coastal Health says.

Henry was unable to say how many people at the hospital had tested positive for the virus so far, but did say that there are fewer than 10 people who were in the exposed group. She specified that a single baby had tested positive, though the child had not been showing any symptoms.

The provincial health officer told reporters there were no babies in the NICU with "severe" or "worrisome" illness, and stressed that children under age 10 tend to be much less likely to become infected with COVID-19 or to have severe illness when they do.

"I do believe it is a very low-risk scenario for those who are in the NICU," Henry said.

A VCH spokesperson told CTV News the hospital's maternity ward is still open and a satellite NICU has opened.

"There is no evidence of risk to patients elsewhere in the hospital," a statement from VCH says.

On Friday, Henry stressed that St. Paul's maternity unit "remains fully operational."

"Infants and families can continue to safely receive the care they need," the provincial health officer said.

Everyone who may have been exposed to the virus is now being monitored, Henry said.

"There are a number of families and staff who have been contacts who are now isolated," she added.

This is a developing news story and will be updated.