UPDATE: Volunteer Parks Dept Worker Destroys Homeless Camp Site – Braun Apologizes

UPDATED 12:32 am. 2/25/15
From Bas Stevens. Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun apologized to Cody O’Day at press conference this morning and said he hopes the city can learn from this experience.

According to CBC News, on Saturday night at Cody’s shelter in Ravine Park his camoflage was removed, his tent tipped over, his air mattress punctured, and some of his belongings were stolen.

The volunteer parks worker who left the note denies any responsibility, other than leaving the note.

CKNW describes the note left by the worker as ” …  an angry note left behind, telling him to buzz off.”

Braun promised there will be changes made to staff training and that, despite the actions taken,  the individual in question will be given another chance. The Abbotsford Police Department (APD) is now investigating.

O’Day has been staying at the Salvation Army shelter since the incident.

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16:27 2/25/15
CBC News is reporting ...
[excerpt] Cody O’Day and his partner Mackenzie Skorepa said when they returned to their tent last Sunday evening they found it flipped over, with the poles broken, food missing, an air mattress popped and a note telling them to get out.

The couple said they are homeless because of other troubles in their lives and there are limited spaces offered at local homeless shelters.

“Cody had nowhere to go. I just got into a home myself … the lack of resources in this town has cause serious hardship for us,” said Mackenzie.

“My faith in humanity kind of got crushed that night .. We are good people. There is no need for that … Nobody has the right to go and destroy the last little bit of what people own,” she said.
[source]

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10:30 am 2/25/15
Mayor Braun To Hold Press Conference At 10:45AM, Wednesday, February 25,2015.

A source has informed Abbotsford Today that Cody, a homeless man who had temporarily set up camp in Ravine Park, came back to find his camp destroyed by a volunteer Parks Department worker.

According to the source the worker had overturned the man’s tent and left a note on the bottom of it.

Cody contacted Abbotsford Police Department (APD) and the City,of Abbotsford. The head of the Parks and Recreation is now involved. Cody also contacted Pastor Ward Draper of the 5 and 2 Ministries who has come to his aid.

More to follow as story develops.