Pay It Forward + Officer Faces Charges

Issue #643

Author

Carla McNeil
June 30, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

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 🗓️ New West Events - A Mix of What’s Happening

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Cindy O.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Pay It Forward + Officer Faces Charges

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 35.0 1942 - Record low 6.7 1899

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Tuesday June 30, 2026

⚽️ Newcomer Youth Soccer Skills & Leadership Clinic – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🎤 Ukulele Level 1 at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

Wednesday July 01, 2026

🌊 Colours of the Fraser – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🇨🇦 Canada Day 2026 – 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎸 Brew Pub Sessions: Marten Borch – 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM

🎤 Find Your Voice at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Drag Bingo & Trivia – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Thursday July 02, 2026

⚽️ Goals Without Borders – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

📝 Resume Clinic with BCNSP – 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

🎙️ Rock Room Karaoke Nights at The Legion – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🛍️ Kids Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🍅 New West Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

❓️ Steel & Oak Thursday Trivia Night – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

💃 Downtown's Front Yard: Salsa In The Park – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🐢 ASRC: Summer on the Coast starts! – All Day

Support Local Farmers and Local Families

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference.

The New West Farmers Market is making it easier for neighbours to help neighbours with the launch of its new Pay It Forward program—a simple initiative built on generosity, dignity, and community.

The idea is beautifully straightforward. Visitors can purchase Market Money in $5 or $10 amounts at the market's information booth. Those funds are then made available to anyone who could use a little extra help purchasing fresh, local food.

There are no forms to fill out, no questions asked, and no barriers—just an opportunity for people to access healthy food with dignity while supporting local farmers and small businesses at the same time.

It's a program that reflects what makes New Westminster special: a community that looks out for one another. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps put fresh fruits, vegetables, and locally produced foods into the hands of someone who needs them.

The New West Farmers Market believes that food tastes better when it's shared, and this new initiative is a reminder that kindness has a way of nourishing an entire community.

You can learn more or contribute to the Pay It Forward program at the information booth every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Tipperary Park.

Image via AI

The New Westminster Police Department says it acted immediately after learning of misconduct allegations against one of its officers, following the announcement of criminal charges by the BC Prosecution Service.

On June 25, the BC Prosecution Service announced that Constable Hardeep Purba, who joined the New Westminster Police Department in April 2024, has been charged with two counts of breach of trust under Section 122 of the Criminal Code.

According to the department, it became aware of the allegations in May 2025. The matter was immediately reported to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC), and the officer was suspended from duty to prevent further contact with the public.

The New Westminster Police Department also requested that the Abbotsford Police Department conduct an external criminal investigation. In August 2025, the New Westminster Police Board amended the officer's suspension to without pay.

In a statement, Chief Constable Paul Hyland said the allegations do not reflect the values or professionalism expected of the department and emphasized that he hopes the case does not overshadow the work carried out by the department's officers every day.

With the matter now before the courts, the New Westminster Police Department says it will not provide any further comment.

🔍️ Spot the details

Today’s Tin Man mystery has some great clues.

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Win a Bouquet of Fresh Flowers from Chris's Flower Shop.

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Our original winner did not claim the prize, so congratulations to our new lucky winner:

P Jill Mayuga

You’ve won a Canadian Flag from Jake Sawatzky MP. 

To claim your prize, please email, within 48 hours, us at [email protected]. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What do you call a happy puddle? 💦🙋 

🌈 Well-adjusted. ☔

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