The Abbotsford Police Department has launched a new task force following a string of violent extortion-related incidents against South Asian business owners and families.

The internal task force, dubbed Operation Community Shield, follows four incidents in just two weeks, including shootings and vehicle arsons.

“I would call the extortion – related events that are happening, not only in Abbotsford, but across the Lower Mainland, extremely serious,” APD Sgt. Paul Walker said.

“We have people that are living in their homes, we have business owners that are running businesses that are being victimized with violent crime, and that is not OK.”

Since November 2023, the APD has recorded 38 reports of extortion-related incidents, though the vast majority involved non-violent methods, such

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