Thurs, Mar. 7, 2023 edition: Cybercriminals target Burnaby residents

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, we’re zoning right in on cybercriminals—according to Statistics Canada, approximately 74,073 incidents of cyber-enabled crimes have been reported in 2022 with 18,194 cases occurring in B.C. Several Burnaby residents are now sharing their stories. In other news, there’s a new exciting update on the Blues + Roots festival, and a teen fight broke out in Metrotown which involved knives and bear spray.

👀 In today's edition:

• Cybercriminals target Burnaby residents

• A fatal car crash

• A new update for the Blues + Roots festival

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CRIME

Cybercriminals target Burnaby residents

It was a gorgeous sunny day on Sep. 8, 2022 when Loretta Houben and her family decided to eat on the outside deck of their Burnaby home. As they sat down to their meal, her husband’s phone rang. He ignored the interruption. Only later, Houben saw a message from her sister and immediately called her mother. 

On the other end of the line was Houben’s mother—a usually calm and cautious woman—calling to describe a recent phone call she received from Houben’s son. During their hour-long call, he claimed to be in jail, beaten up with broken bones and in desperate need of his grandmother’s help to bail him out.

As it turns out, the man she was speaking to wasn’t Houben’s son at all.

Read the full story on how cybercriminals are targeting Burnaby residents, how to report these crimes, and how to protect yourself and those around you.

SPONSORED BY CELTIC FEST

Celebrate Paddy’s Day with CelticFest Vancouver

CelticFest Vancouver, the city’s annual celebration of Celtic culture celebrates 20 years of Celtic live music, dance and culture. Saturday March 16th enjoy a free all-ages St Patrick’s Day festival in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

Chasing Abbey, a popular group from Ireland headlines the festival along with local sensation Paul Caldwell. New and returning performances including music from local favourites Matty & The Barge Boys, the O’Neil’s and traditional dance by the O'Brien School of Irish Dance. Storyteller Jess Murray and the Showstoppers will delight festival-goers in addition to a family zone with games and face painting. A curated Celtic marketplace offers international snacks, food trucks, beer tents, jewelry, a photo booth, locally made Celtic crafts and local Gaelic sports teams.

Burnaby Bulletin

A fatal car crash. One person is currently in critical condition following a collision on Imperial Street last Sunday. Investigators believe a black sedan crashed into a parked semi-truck on the side of the road. [Global News]

A teen fight with bear spray. A fight broke out between a large group of teens in Metropolis at Metrotown last Monday that involved the use of bear spray. Upon arrival, officers say all suspects and victims had fled the scene. [CityNews]

A new language centre in Burnaby. Newcomers to Canada can now access English lessons at MOSAIC’s Burnaby Language Centre at the Metropolis at Metrotown Mall as of March 1st.

Police clear of charges following crash. BC’s police oversight agency has recently found no reasonable grounds for charges against Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers after two teens were injured in a 2022 crash in Burnaby. [CTV News]

The Coldest Night of the Year. Burnaby’s annual fundraising stroll, the Coldest Night of the Year 2024, successfully raised nearly $111,000 on Feb. 24. [Burnaby Now]

Urban forest management strategy. The City of Burnaby is preparing a strategy to provide “a clear direction for the future management of the city’s trees”, both on public and privately-owned land. They’re currently looking for feedback on the project.

A new recognition for surgical care. An international ranking of surgical care has recently listed Burnaby Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster for their efforts to improve surgical outcomes for adult patients in 2022. [Burnaby Now]

NEWS

New $205M RCMP detachment to start construction this year

The new RCMP detachment will be located at 4038, 4066, 4086, and 4244 Norland Ave., which, according to James Lota, the city’s general manager for lands and facilities, will be adjacent to the current city hall, on the same “city hall campus.” Lota said construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2024 and is expected to be completed in three to four years.

Neighbours and community members can drop into one of two open houses to ask questions and learn more about the new RCMP project at Burnaby City Hall on Mar. 7 and 14 from 5-7pm.

Read the full story here. 

THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT GOLDEN PLATES

Nominate your favourite Burnaby restaurant!

It’s time for a time-honoured tradition from our sister publication, The Georgia Straight: the Golden Plates Awards.

Nominations for the 27th annual food and drink awards are now open. Every year, readers select their favourite restaurants, breweries, bars, cafes, coffee shops, food trucks, and more, recognizing the best of Vancouver’s vibrant local food scene.

To have your say on everything from the prettiest patio to the best bartender to the number-one Burnaby spot, click here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Council decides to keep Burnaby Blues and Roots after all

On Feb. 26, council decided to keep Burnaby Blues and Roots for another year. Despite culture director Emmaline Hill’s recommendation to cancel the show and replace it with a new festival, Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival (BBRF) will take place this year, albeit with some changes. 

Hill’s team is currently working on a master plan for 2025, which may expand and change the festival. Hill’s original recommendation was based on several audience surveys conducted during previous festivals, showing a decline in the event’s appeal among younger audiences. 

Read more about how the festival will change here.

Where to eat & drink

🍝 Claudio’s Ristorante. A bright and elegant stop for traditional Italian fare like focaccia, arancini and bolognese as well as creative twists like Campari sticky ribs and Nutella pizza.

☕️ Yasser’s Cafe. A casual dine-in and takeaway cafe serving diner classics like roast beef sandwiches, burgers, soups, baked goods and hot drinks. The perfect stop for a quick mid-day meal.

🍲 Myst Asian Fusion. You’ll want to bring all your friends to this massive Taiwanese eatery, serving large platters that are perfect for sharing. From dim sum and grilled meat platters to breakfast and bubble tea, they’ve got it all—and you’ll want to try everything.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Ecosystem Growth Manager at Covalent

• Branch Manager in Training at BMO

• Level 3 Underwriter at Pacific Blue Cross

• Sales Representative at A1 Windows

• Meteorologist at BC Hydro

• Education Grant Assistant at BCIT

• Assistant Fitness Manager at Fitness World

• Budget & Financial Analyst at BC Housing

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Recovering from Chronic Pain. 5pm. 3605 Gilmore Way #350.

• Diversity and Inclusion Job Fair. 10am. Bonsor Recreation Complex.

• Women’s Self Defence Workshop. 8pm. Student Union Building.

Friday

• Technology Virtual Job Fair. 11am. Online via Zoom.

• Graphic Communications Networking. 2pm. British Columbia Institute of Technology.

• Breville x Best Buy Coffee Maker Masterclass. 6pm. Best Buy Burnaby.

• Columbian Salsa Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

Saturday

• Hearts of Gold Dinner + Movie. 4:30pm. Cineplex at Metrotown. 

• Women and Gender Diverse Leaders Reception. 4:30pm. Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

• Blues Workshop Class. 6pm. 202-4199 Lougheed Hwy.

• Temari Making Workshop. 12:30pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• 80s Rewind. 7pm. Micheal J Fox Theatre.

Sunday

• Latte Art Workshop. 2pm. JKLatte Studio.

• Japanese Swordplay Workshop. 1pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• Psychic Reiki. 9am. 7428 6th St.

Monday

• Veterans Virtual Job Fair. 11am. Online via Zoom.

• Movement Solutions for the Computer Jockey. 12:15pm. 3605 Gilmore Way #350.

Tuesday

• Flying Solo Travel Meet Up. 6pm. Altas Steak + Fish.

• Meet, Greet and Eat. 12pm. Global Student Centre.

• English Conversation Circle. 1:30pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Wednesday

• The Piano Men Tour. 7:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

• Pie Day Bachata Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

• Cord Cutting Sound Bath Meditation. 7pm. The Mindful Lab Meditation + Creative Studio.