Image: City of Chilliwack / File photo, Mayor Ken Popove (left) is seen talking with Upper Fraser Valley RCMP Supt. Darren Pankratz.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Preventable incidents of crime

Amid spike in break and enters, Chilliwack mayor reminds residents it’s not the 1960s any longer

Jun 4, 2026 | 9:37 AM

CHILLIWACK – Amid an uptick in break and enters last month, Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove is urging residents to take every precaution necessary to prevent crimes on their properties, saying it’s not the 1960s any longer.

Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Corporal Carmen Kiener told Fraser Valley Today on May 27 that police identified a spike in residential break and enters in Chilliwack stemming from unlocked doors, windows and vehicles during the first two weeks of May. RCMP crime analysts identified 15 residential break and enters in Chilliwack between Sunday, May 3 and Saturday, May 16. Of these 15 incidents, four involved forced entries, meaning many occurred due to unsecured properties or other preventable circumstances, Cpl. Kiener said.

Given those types of preventable crimes, Mayor Popove told 89.5 JR Country host Glen Slingerland Thursday morning (June 4) that residents need to do their part to stop crime before it starts.

“I was talking to (Supt. Darren Pankratz), in 50 per cent of those instances, people had left their vehicles unlocked, or garage doors open,” Popove said. “So, it’s a crime of opportunity. We gotta lock up our vehicles. You can’t be in your backyard with your garage door open. Let’s be smart, people. We gotta be smarter. Lock your stuff up. It’s not the 60s anymore. I’m sorry, we have to be smarter at this stuff.”

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Kiener says officers continue proactive patrols in identified hot spots and work to identify and target those responsible. She says significant efforts are ongoing to both prevent these offences and hold offenders accountable.

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“Many of these incidents could have been prevented by taking simple steps to secure homes and vehicles,” said Cpl. Kiener. “Residents play an important role in helping reduce crime in our communities.”

Police encourage residents to:

Lock all doors and windows, even when at home
Lock vehicles, regardless of where they are parked
Secure garage doors and garage door openers
Remove valuables from plain view
Ensure exterior lighting is functioning properly

She encourages residents who plan to be away for extended periods of time to consider arranging for mail pickup, using timers on lights, and asking trusted neighbours to monitor their property.

As always, police urge residents to report suspicious activity immediately at 604-792-4611. This includes unfamiliar vehicles slowly driving through neighbourhoods, individuals checking door handles, or unusual late-night activity around homes.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Amid spike in break and enters, Chilliwack mayor reminds residents it’s not the 1960s any longer

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