On Saturday night, May 24, a Maple Ridge man out walking his dog was attacked with a baseball bat, and suffered head injuries.
The attack happened at approximately 10:30 p.m. in the neighbourhood of 224th Street and Selkirk Avenue. The man was hit multiple times on the head with a bat, but was able to make it home to his apartment, bleeding badly.
He went to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminister, and is now reported to be back home, with stitches in his head.
Neighbours were able to locate his dog.
Reports in other media say there were three or four people involved in the attack.
Yvonne Dykstra, a neighbour who apparently knew the victim, posted online what she knew about the incident.
"I am so upset, as these guys were waiting to attack someone, anyone (be)cause they had bats with them," she said in an online post. "Please be aware these people did not care who was walking in the area. They would attack anyone. So scary you can't even take your dog for a walk in your own neighbourhood."
The incident sparked numerous online comments about the downtown neighbourhood, and feelings that it is not safe.
"This makes me so angry. That area is absolutely horrific!" said Janine Card.
"I hope your neighbour will be okay, but something more needs to be done when you can鈥檛 even be outside your home in the evening," said Judy Binge.
"And this is why my nerves are shot when my teen is out walking around Maple Ridge," said Cherish Sampson-Moore.
"Horrible this is happening, sorry to hear about your neighbour sending thoughts his physical scars will heal fast," said Cricket Minich. "Emotionally things will take some time, when you can't leave your home without fear."
"My husband and I do door dashing and deliver to that area and we do notice a lot of sketchy people," said Lauren Brouwer.
This incident comes while the city is working to attract more people to its downtown.
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy said he feels safe walking the city streets, but has empathy for those who don't.
"It's tough to make people feel comfortable 鈥� they feel what they feel," said Ruimy. "But I want to ensure the community we're listening, and we're acting."
He noted council has hired more RCMP officers, has a team of Community Safety Officers 鈥� specialized bylaws officers who interact with the street population, and also hires Westridge Security at night.
He said the RCMP officers are also getting out of their cruisers.
"They're not just walking the beat, they're out there on bicycles, and they're seeing things."
With the city's Be Downtown initiative, peace officers make themselves available at a downtown pavilion where members of the public can bring them concerns in person.
"We are hearing, and we're acting upon what we're hearing."
The mayor said there are still unanswered questions about the incident.
"Police are investigating. We don't know the whole story just yet," said Ruimy.
The News reached out to Ridge Meadows RCMP, who have so far released no details about the incident or their investigation.
(Note: There are punctuation and other minor edits to online comments, for the sake of clarity.)
