Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / The Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association plans to hold a town hall at some point in the future on safety and security, in an effort to prepare Chilliwack businesses for positive results in reducing possible incidents in their area.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

BIA Town Hall

BIA to hold town hall on downtown Chilliwack safety and security

Jan 17, 2023 | 2:20 PM

CHILLIWACK — In the midst of a string of recent incidents in which windows belonging to businesses were broken or shattered due to vandalism, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage, the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association plans to gather downtown merchants for an important forum on downtown security.

The BIA reported Tuesday (Jan. 17) that it will be organizing a merchants-only town hall discussion with the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP in Chilliwack, security personnel, and members of Chilliwack City Council to better equip merchants and businesses as they strive to keep their assets safe.

“The DCBIA will be hosting a discussion with local RCMP, security and City Council at the Coast Hotel, to talk about the measures being put in place to further improve our downtown security measures, and how to better prepare your own businesses for positive results in reducing possible incidents in your area,” BIA executive director Trevor McDonald wrote in an email to merchants Tuesday.

McDonald wrote in an email Friday, January 20 to Fraser Valley Today that the meeting will be for merchants only and not a public forum event, with an emphasis on helping to secure their areas.

SinAmen Bun Co. and Carstar Collision (Wally’s) were among the most recent victims of damage caused by a BB or pellet gun. An employee of SinAmen Bun Co. said earlier this week that damage to one window would cost the business at least $400 to $500. Other entities have been reportedly targeted by BB or pellet guns in the past month, including First Avenue Church.

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Back in October 2022, the BIA disseminated an email among downtown merchants that highlighted an uptick in glass breakage and graffiti in the downtown area, as a means of keeping merchants in the loop.

“We are also seeing a rash of glass breakage throughout our downtown,” McDonald wrote in the October 2022 email. “The DCBIA does offer a $500 Window Grant that is awarded to a building once per year while funds are available. Contact me at the office for more details.”

A new graffiti artist had also visited the DCBIA area in an adverse fashion and left the acronym “CMC” on a wall and a garbage bin. McDonald had previously asked for merchants’ help in tracking down the vandal.

“We have a new ‘artist’ in the downtown,” McDonald wrote in October 2022. “Please check your store cameras for any possible footage if graffiti occurs in your area. We can’t start an RCMP file without your input. Any video info? Please send to me at the DCBIA office.”

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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BIA to hold town hall on downtown Chilliwack safety and security

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