Residential break-ins spike in Surrey's Cloverdale neighbourhood

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

Khouri Lamar Green, 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 on Facebook
• ​Khouri Lamar Green 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 lived — has 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 into Cloverdale here," says ​Mike Bola, president of the Cloverdale Community Association. "I think it should stop somewhere and 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 that would suggest that there might be something happening in this first quarter but certainly we are working on those issues."

Surrey RCMP say the 23 per cent increase is a difference of 14 more incidents and the same crime type was down 16 per cent from 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 any increases that need to be actioned," the police said in an email.