Abbotsford police have launched a dedicated task force following a series of violent extortion incidents targeting South Asian business owners and families. The new initiative, called Operation Community Shield, comes after four attacks in just two weeks, including shootings and vehicle arsons.
Sgt. Paul Walker of the Abbotsford Police Department described the extortion incidents as “extremely serious.” He said many residents and business owners are being victimized, creating fear in the community. “We have people living in their homes and running businesses who are facing violent crime, and that is not acceptable,” Walker said.
Since November 2023, Abbotsford police have recorded 38 extortion-related reports. Most involved non-violent threats, such as letters, phone calls, or text messages, but the recent escalation prompted the creation of the internal task force.
Operation Community Shield combines a range of resources, including major crimes investigators, surveillance teams, and crime analysts. The task force focuses specifically on Abbotsford-related incidents, while two officers have also been seconded to the provincial extortion task force, which was announced earlier this month.
The provincial task force addresses broader cross-boundary issues, while Operation Community Shield targets local threats. Sgt. Walker emphasized that the goal is to quickly identify those responsible, hold them accountable, and restore safety to the community. He noted this represents the largest internal redeployment for Abbotsford police since the 2021 atmospheric river event.
The City of Surrey has also introduced a $250,000 fund to reward tipsters who provide credible information leading to arrests and charges. These coordinated efforts aim to curb extortion and violent crime in the Lower Mainland.
The South Asian Business Association welcomed the new task force but expressed frustration over the slow pace of visible progress. Puneet Sandhar, the association’s first vice-president, highlighted videos showing attackers without masks, emphasizing that action should have been taken sooner.
Operation Community Shield has no set end date and will continue until the extortion threat is under control. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist the investigation and help protect local residents and businesses.
