Good morning, my sleep deprived friends! Do you feel like you lost something this weekend? Sixty minutes, maybe? Me too.
Clock squawk: Did you know U.S. judges tend to hand out longer sentences after the switch to daylight time? There’s also a rise in fatal car crashes and heart attacks. So breathe deep, drive slow, and if you have to go to court today, consider asking for a future date.
In our news roundup today we take a look at what your government is up to next week and what criminals got down to last year.
In July, 2020, council came close to giving the go-ahead to a six-storey, 128-unit development on the north side of Dansey Avenue, a residential street between Rochester and Austin avenues. That development – or at least something very much like it – is back on the docket this Monday.
What changed: Last summer, the project included 109 affordable units to be developed with BC Housing. The revised project is entirely market condos.
City staff are recommending council rescind second and third reading and reroute the project back to public hearing.
Also on the agenda:
- Consideration of 24 townhouses at 3489 Baycrest Ave.
- A temporary retail gardenat 1150 The High Street near Coquitlam Centre.
In Port Moody: It’s budget night and council is looking at bumping up property taxes 3.55 per cent.
Government Pork (and vegan options): In juicier news, council is set to talk about Ribfest. The three-day celebration of southern sauce, prairie smoke and sticky fingers was cancelled last year but may be returning this summer.
Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the company town on the inlet, the Port Moody Museum is looking for memories of the Ioco Townsite. If you have a reminiscence to share, reach out to info@portmoodymuseum.org
And if you love local history as much as we do, keep an eye on your inbox this Friday as we get set to do a deeper dive on the land’s history.
More people worked from home and more crooks plied their trade at brick and mortar businesses in 2020, according to a year-end report submitted by Port Coquitlam RCMP recently.
Calls down: Calls for service hit their lowest level in four years in 2020, dipping more than 10 per cent from 2017 figures. There were 2045 property crimes last year, representing a 13 per cent drop from 2019 levels. But while property crime slowed down in 2020, break and enters from businesses rose 31 per cent.
Based on a three-year average, assault was up 41 per cent and mental health related files rose 28 per cent. Those figures “may have stemmed from the increased pressures experienced by the community,” according to the RCMP’s report.
Mental health services needed: Speaking to Port Coquitlam Council via video on March 2, RCMP Supt. Keith Bramhill noted that a Mental Health Mobile Unit remains a top priority for the department.
Traffic stops stall: Roads were safer in 2020, with police handing out 42 per cent fewer distracted driving tickets. Tickets for speeding, impaired driving and intersection infractions all decreased substantially.
Looking ahead: Discussing 2021 priorities, Mayor Brad West emphasized greater police visibility, particularly downtown, and increased road safety.
- Taste of the Tri-Cities: From now until March 19th restaurants across the Tri-Cities area are being showcased for a local food festival. Check out our featured restaurant below.
- Plant pollinator gardens at Mundy Park: Coquitlam green thumbs can register to dig into the soil at Mundy March 23 to 25.
- Double play: Port Moody’s young theatre students are set to bow on Broadway On Demand this Thursday, March 18 with two plays as the streaming service showcases Lockdown (directed by Sienna Da Silva-Rolph and Grace Truman) followed by Kindling (written and directed by Lily Rosen).
- Cheers and booze: British Columbians can still order alcoholic beverages along with take-out meals as the province makes the temporary rules permanent
- Population dips in Port Coquitlam, Port Moody
Correction: This newsletter originally included a link to a story from November 2020 regarding a positive COVID-19 test at a Port Coquitlam store. As the story is no longer relevant, it has been removed.
Our community has rallied in support of Coquitlam Search and Rescue volunteer Isaac Heisler after a cougar attack in Anmore ended in the loss of his three-month-old puppy, Diez.
Heisler had planned to train the German shepherd so Diez could serve as a canine team member with Coquitlam SAR.
Following the attack, fellow volunteer firefighter Dave McCloskey launched a GoFundMe page, writing: Isaac’s dream of owning, training, and having a search companion needs to come to fruition.”
After setting a goal of raising $8,000, the campaign has so far yielded more than $12,000 from 205 donors.
Any cash above the $8,000 threshold is set to be donated to Critter Care Wildlife Society, a group that provides care for sick, injured and orphaned mammals.
