Police in Abbotsford have created a new task force to tackle the extortion crisis in the city.

After multiple South Asian business owners have been threatened, the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) has launched “Operation Community Shield,” an internal extortion task force.

By building the task force, the APD says it is addressing a recent increase in extortion events this month, which involved shootings and arson.

Operation Community Shield consists of experienced officers reassigned from the APD.

The task force will follow proactive violence suppression strategies and pursue targeted investigations, all aimed at safeguarding public safety.

Additionally, it will work together with federal and provincial officials — including the province’s extortion task force, which was announced l

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