Residential break-ins spike in Surrey's Cloverdale neighbourhood

Cloverdale istypically one of the safer communities in Surrey, B.C., which is why many are unsettled bythe killing of a Surrey father who was defending his family when an armed stranger broke into his home.

KhouriLamarGreen, aged 22, has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Surrey real estate agent Colin Hill.

• Colin Hill, Surrey homeowner, shot dead during break-in
• Father of two died protecting his family, wife posts onFacebook
• KhouriLamarGreen charged in death of Surrey homeowner Colin Hill

While crime in general is down in the city of Surrey, recent RCMP statistics show the crime rate in Cloverdale where Hill livedhas jumped significantly in comparison to other neighbourhoods.

Over the first quarter of the year, residential break-in incidents in Cloverdale are up 23 per cent, while nearby Newton and Whalley have seen an increase of only three and 11 per cent respectively.

"It looks like everything [specifically crime]from Newton is now pushing intoCloverdalehere," says Mike Bola, president of theCloverdaleCommunity Association."Ithink it should stop somewhereand it should be dealt with."

But city councillor Tom Gill says there's been an overall downturn in property crimes.

"Certainly the trend is not there," he says. "There could be some anomalies thatwould suggest that there might be something happeningin this first quarter but certainly we are working on those issues."

SurreyRCMPsay the 23 per cent increaseis a difference of 14 more incidents and the same crime type was down 16 per centfrom the previous quarter.

"Currently, we are not seeing any significant spikes in any particular crime type in this area. That being said, we are in the middle of compiling statistics for this quarter and will analyze them to see if there are anyincreases that need to be actioned," the police said in an email.