Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Executive Director Trevor McDonald says he's receiving a large number of RSVPs for the upcoming merchants-only discussion on safety and security, slated for Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Coast Hotel in Chilliwack.
Downtown Chilliwack BIA

Downtown Chilliwack BIA expecting strong turnout for its Mar. 1 meeting on safety and security

Feb 17, 2023 | 9:16 AM

CHILLIWACK — In the wake of several incidents over the past year in which multiple businesses in Chilliwack have been vandalized in various forms, the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association’s upcoming forum for merchants on safety and security couldn’t have come at a better time.

The BIA announced in mid-January that it would be organizing a merchants-only 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.

BIA executive director Trevor McDonald wrote in an email on February 9 that interest in the security update meeting has been strong.

“We have received a large number of RSVPs for the security update meeting at the Coast Hotel, March 1, at 6 p.m.,” McDonald wrote to merchants. “This will be a very informative presentation and speakers will be available after to speak with individually.”

The meeting aims to bring as many stakeholders to the table as possible for a constructive discussion on how to best equip merchants, tenants and business owners.

“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 previously wrote in a January email.

The emphasis of the meeting will be on securing merchant areas, and is not meant to be an overall forum on public safety in Chilliwack and the broader community.

“Looking forward to seeing you at all the March 1st event at the Coast Hotel,” McDonald wrote to merchants.

Merchants who have questions or concerns about this or any other matters regarding the BIA are invited to contact Trevor McDonald on his cell at 604-997-3977, or email him at trevor@downtownchilliwack.com.

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.”