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Attack in Burnaby church parking lot ‘last straw’ for Metrotown resident

Carjacking has local residents feeling nervous
police-tape
IStock photo

I answered the phone the other day and the voice on the end of the line was as stressed out as I’ve heard in quite some time.

Considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is saying a lot.

Her name is Pamela and she doesn’t want her last name used because she is speaking out about crime in her neighbourhood.

The neighbourhood is Metrotown and it’s the worst area for crime in all of Burnaby, according to the regular monthly crime maps I was receiving. It’s the worst for break-ins to vehicles and businesses.

Anecdotally, I’ve received plenty of missives from Metrotown residents saying crime is getting worse in their area.

I wrote back in January about a woman who was pushed into traffic in Metrotown and in 2020 about a man who had hot coffee poured onto him. A woman has also been charged in the tripping attack on a Metrotown senior citizen. 

Pamela says she’s afraid to walk her own neighbourhood after dark – something that never used to happen.

And now she’s seriously considering moving after a recent attack in the parking lot of a church in the Metrotown area.

“It’s the last straw,” Pamela said. “I heard about this and I’m fed up. People can't even go to church safely.”

The attack happened recently at the All Saints Anglican Church. I was forwarded a Block Watch report about what happened. It's scary stuff. Basically and attack and a car jacking all at once.

“Yesterday at the church on Royal Oak near Rumble, there was a group of church members leaving the church,” reads the report. “A man forced his way into the church and he was escorted out. Naloxone was found on the ground. He claimed it wasn’t his. One of the church members got into his car and turned on the ignition. The unknown man aggressively forced him out of his car. Another church member went over to help the driver. Both men were assaulted. The driver is in the hospital right now with severe cuts. The unknown man got into the car and drove south on Royal Oak with no car lights on. The police and paramedics responded. Several helicopters drove over Burnaby looking for the suspect. He is described as 6 feet tall. Appeared to be on drugs. As he had on a hoody it was impossible to determine his ethnicity. His hoody appeared to be good quality. If you get into your car look around and make sure no one is watching you.”

That last line really stings. People leaving church now have to be on guard when going to their vehicle.

“I know the police are doing their best, but I want to be somewhere I feel safe,” Pamela said.

Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.