News. U-Pass fraud crackdown Transit Police making arrests on Craigslist purchasers By Keating Smith, Staff Writer ransit Police in Metro Vancouver are crack- ing down on U-Pass fraud. Earlier this month, 25-year-old Betty Sze Yu Wong, a former UBC student was caught buy- ing and selling multiple U-Passes off students from four different post- secondary institutions in Metro Vancouver after Transit Police honed in on several of Wong’s Craigslist postings that were either buying or selling the passes at substantial prices. “U-Pass fraud is a serious situation in the Lower Mainland,” says Anne Drennan, spokes- person for Transit Police. “The U-Pass program was not intended for students eligible to use the program as a way to make a profit and if any- one is caught selling their pass by Transit Police, they could be charged with fraud, which is a criminal charge under the Criminal Code of Canada.” Selling the pass is not the same as possessing or carrying a U-Pass that was not issued to a person. In this case, a person will be fined $173.00 if they cannot produce a valid student ID or proof they are a full-time student to Transit Police. The pass will also be confiscated. Drennan also mentioned that Transit Police are conducting several other “sting- like” operations and investigations into U-Pass fraud throughout Metro Vancouver in undisclosed locations and the problem is growing on other clas- sified websites besides Craigslist Vancouver. “Tf a student is caught selling their U-Pass for profit, not only can they be charged with fraud, but that student is reported to the educa- tion institution they attend and they are essentially ‘blacklisted’ from the U-Pass program for good,” Drennan notes. “Whether the student does or does not use the program, it will not be available to them in the future.” A standard three-zone transit pass costs $151 per month compared to the $30 per month ($120 per semester) U-Pass fee full-time students pay. The $120 lump sum is included with tuition each semester, and opt- ing out of the U-Pass program is not an option. Douglas College students voted 94 per cent in favour of having Quayside to be brightened with ads New Jumbotron set for approval overlooking Columbia Street By Elliot Chan, Contributor n October 24, Plaza 88, the condo and commercial property attached to the redeveloped New Westminster SkyTrain station, presented the concepts for a 732-square foot Jumbotron to the Quayside Community Board. For the past couple of years, New Westminster has been undergoing an extensive makeover. As cranes 4 Mock-up of the Plaza 88 jumbotron | Photo courtesy «y of wiv newnestrensleaderson crowd the skyline and construction crews parade the streets, optimistic residence and business owners are anticipating a boom. Yet the plan to incor- porate the new ordain- ment does not come without obstacles. The New Westminster’s sign bylaw states that no sign can exceed 215-square foot and prohibits flash- ing or moving lights and animation. But Penny Mclvor, president of QCB does not see a problem with the addition. “[The Jumbotron is] not facing a ton of residences, it’s facing the river and not people’s bedrooms,” said MclIvor. “I can’t see it interfering.” Mclvor goes on and addresses the benefits of installing the sign. “We’re OK with it because we need to promote what’s in the mall to make sure the small business don’t fail,” she said, “We'd like to see one screen with all the businesses on it rather than 50 dif- ferent signs and logos all over the building.” Plaza 88, the city’s newest development incorporates a unique retail space encasing the New Westminster SkyTrain station. This economic use of space at a convenient location is now home to banks, travel agencies, dentists, small restaurants, cafes, as well as a Safeway. The future for Plaza 88 also includes a multiplex on the second floor. the program available at the school in the Winter 2011 semester. Transit Police say charges could be laid against students who sold their passes to Wong, who is due in court mid-December. The proposal for the new sign is still being processed by the council and is currently awaiting approval. The concern regarding the sign is that it can be a distraction for those in traffic, but more so for those who will move into the residential complexes when con- struction is completed. The parking lot at the front of the Inn at the Quay will eventually be renovated to accommo- date both the shoppers and those who live there. “We want the busi- ness to go in there to survive,” Mclvor said. “90 per cent of those who live in New Westminster don’t even know there’s a shopping mall there.”