Conway's Bradner Residence Flooded

Image Source - Protect our Children in Bradner FB Group

By Kim Iverson

Bradner BC - I am writing on behalf of the Bradner residence, in conflict with James Conway. We are not part of any hoodlum, vigilante acts. We are a community frustrated with corrections, frustrated with the system. This system has failed us again and are frustrated that a child sex offender is allowed to live in the ALR breaking a bylaw. What makes it ok for them to break laws? If they were not here in the first place none of this stuff would ever have happened. This is a beautiful neighbourhood with great people, the problem, after all, is the sex offender and a half-way house running in an illegal way.

The following article was written by reporter Vikki Hopes and posted on the Abbotsford News website on Sept. 26th, 2015. The residence of Conway, convicted child sex offender, was intentionally flooded early Saturday morning, causing the ceiling to collapse. Constable Ian MacDonald said the Abbotsford Police received a report at 2 am about a flooding of the home on Joanita Place in the North Bradner area.

The house is occupied by sex offender James Conway – whose presence in the neighbourhood was the subject of protest rallies, signage being posted in the area and community discontent. Conway resides in the house with another offender and their caregiver, who were all in the home during the flooding, but nobody was injured. 

MacDonald said when the police arrived, it was found that someone had unscrewed lights on the exterior of the property, run a hose from the roof into the attic and turned it on. Police estimate that the water ran into the house for about two hours, causing the ceiling to collapse. MacDonald also said the incident is the most serious in a series of mischief-type crimes committed on the property since Conway moved there at the beginning of August. Other incidents include a water valve being encased in concrete, a gate at the home being padlocked, rocks thrown at the residence, threatening letters attached to the gate, and 'borderline threats' being yelled as people drive-by. Security cameras are in place on the property, and the footage will be reviewed for evidence and the person responsible for the flooding could face a potential charge of mischief over $5,000 and other offences. Police are now installing their own cameras in the neighbourhood in hopes of deterring further incidents.

Mayor Henry Braun announced at the most recent protest rally held in the neighbourhood, that Abbotsford City staff found that Conway’s residence was being used outside of its permitted zoning designation for agricultural and residential uses, and the occupants were being asked to leave but it could take some time to resolve the issue.

MacDonald said police understand the concerns of neighbours, but urged citizens to wait for that matter to proceed, but doesn't know whether the occupants are able to continue living in the residence following the flooding.