Calls about a man with a rifle that drew a large police response in Abbotsford Tuesday evening turned out to be a false alarm, according to police. The Abbotsford Police Department says it received multiple reports of a man standing on the roof of an apartment building in the 2300 block of Whatcom Road holding what appeared to be a firearm. “Given the nature of the call, more than 16 officers from across the city responded immediately to ensure public safety. Officers quickly contained the area, located the individual on the roof, and detained him without incident,” the department wrote in a statement. As it turns out, the man was a pest control worker using an air rifle to control birds. Police said notices were posted in the apartment building to notify residents of the work, but were not given to nearby businesses or homes. The department told CTV News that police dispatch was notified before the employee went onto the roof with the air gun, but some of the 911 callers gave an address that “differed slightly” from the one the company provided. “In addition, several callers described the individual’s actions in a manner that raised concern based on their observations. As a result, the police response continued until officers arrived on scene and were able to assess the situation firsthand. Upon confirming the circumstances and speaking with the employee on the rooftop, officers adjusted their response accordingly,” a spokesperson wrote in an email. The AbbyPD recommends notifying police in advance of using an air rifle, though it is not legally required. “The use of an air rifle in a public setting can reasonably cause concern among members of the public, which occurred in this instance. Advance notification helps reduce unnecessary alarm, provides responding officers with important context, and assists police in responding appropriately should reports be received from the public,” the email continues. Even though there was not a legitimate threat, AbbyPD thanked the public for reporting their concerns promptly.
