WATCH: It’s been three weeks since residents of an Abbotsford community rallied to get a convicted sex offender out of their neighbourhood. Now the city’s mayor says he’s found a solution to force James Conway out. But will it work? John Hua reports.
The City of Abbotsford has notified a B.C. service agency that they need to relocate the people living in a Bradner home, including convicted sex offender James Conway, because of zoning bylaw violations.
The City reviewed the zoning for the property after receiving complaints that it was being used as a halfway house.
“The use that’s taking place here is what you would find in a recovery house, which this property is not zoned for,” said Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun. “This is an agricultural-zoned area for single-family residential use. I would argue that this has more of a detention use than anything else. I think it’s even more than a halfway house, but nevertheless it contravenes our zoning bylaw.”
Following the City’s announcement, Cindy Rose of B.C. Corrections said it is doing “everything in its power to make sure Mr. Conway’s neighbours and others living nearby feel safe. Mr. Conway has been and remains under intensive supervision for his numerous conditions. Notably, he is under 24-hour house arrest, is on electronic monitoring, must not leave his residence at any time unescorted by an approved adult, and must not be near anyone younger than 18.”
Rose went to say that Community Living B.C. (CLBC), which funds the agency that houses Conway, is also reviewing the notice from the City of Abbotsford.
- Indecent offender arrested twice in one week, West Shore RCMP says
- Volkswagen Canada announces airbag fix for recalled Atlas SUVs after almost one year wait
- B.C.’s carbon tax hike kicks in on Monday, April 1 so prepare to pay more at the pump
- Spike in Metro Vancouver restaurant closures sparks concern
“CLBC will be supporting the agency to review the notice, to determine if there are options to come into compliance or whether the agency needs to consider alternative housing,” said Community Living B.C.’s Randy Schmidt. “CLBC’s service agency has only just received the notice and we will work to help determine this over the next weeks.”
Sharon Forbes of Raven’s Moon Resource Society, an Abbotsford-based service agency similar to the one that supervises Conway, suggests the residence in question is more of a boarding house than a halfway house or a recovery house designed to help those with substance-abuse issues.
“We’ve don’t have special zoning for boarding homes. We’ve been in operation for six years,” said Forbes.
“There is no licensing required. We’ve been to the City many times and said, ‘is there something that we need to do?’ And they said no.”
Last month, residents of the area held a protest outside the house after a public notification was issued for Conway, who has a lengthy criminal history, including three convictions for sexual offences against children.
Corrections officials said Conway, 40, is under constant supervision, but angry residents have been posting warning signs in the area.
Conway moved to Surrey earlier this year – but was arrested for breaching his conditions nine days later, when he allegedly sat beside a teenage girl on a bus. He later planned on moving to Delta.
Conway was also jailed for breaching conditions last year after a SkyTrain passenger reported that he was talking to and staring down the shirts of young girls.
-With files from Justin McElroy
Comments