ABBOTSFORD POLICE'S OPERATION LOVESTOP TARGETS THUGS

A campaign targeting gang associates and drug activity in the downtown
core has resulted in Abbotsford Police issuing $18,000 in tickets
since last Sunday.

Const. Ian MacDonald said Operation Lovestop is aimed at driving out
the criminal element that has no business being in Abbotsford.

"We don't want them to feel the love anymore," MacDonald said of the
campaign's title.

"If they have love for Abbotsford, we're not reciprocating."

He said tickets have been issued for any infraction possible under the
Motor Vehicle Act, the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Criminal Code.

These have included such things as vehicle deficiencies and failing to
stop at a stop sign - for which police might otherwise issue only a
warning.

"Where in other instances your action might be of an educational
nature with a regular upstanding citizen, we're taking a
zero-tolerance approach (to people who are here for gang-related or
drug activity)," MacDonald said.

He said among the people issued tickets was a UN Gang associate from
Surrey and those with a background in gangs and drugs from Mission,
Langley and Vancouver.

The campaign will continue through the Olympics, if not
longer.

MacDonald said it's all part of the Abbotsford Police goal of
suppressing drug- and gang-related violence this year.

"If you don't shine a light on people you deem undesirable in your
community, they're going to stay."