apd_banner_V1Abbotsford Police are considered very innovative when it comes to their programs and initiatives, but they all cost money, and the city can only afford a portion of that. That’s where the Abbotsford Police Foundation comes in. The police cannot directly take donations, and Foundation Vice President Sandy Blue says they help provide a wide range of community policing and outreach assistance not covered by the annual operating budget of the APD.

“The foundation has been around since 2005 funding a lot of really interesting things that people might be aware of, but it’s not funded directly through the police, it’s funded through the foundation.”

For example, they fund the annual city-wide basketball tournament, which brings in over 1,000 players every year.

They have a big fundraiser coming up this October, which is a breakfast with Police Chief Bob Rich at the Ramada. Tickets are $50, or $400 for a table of 8. They want to raise $40,000 to fund equipment, technology and programs to fight property crime.

“As we’ve all heard in the news, property crime is rising across the lower mainland, and Abbotsford is no different.” says Blue.  “There are some initiatives underway (in Abbotsford) that the police chief and his staff have in mind that is technology related that will have an impact on property crime.”

You can check out abbypf.ca for more information.