Press Releases

The City of Chilliwack hosted a meeting this morning to discuss the recent incidents of vandalism to vehicles in the Chilliwack River Valley, which appear to be targeting visitors from the United States. Participants in the meeting included representatives from local business, Tourism Chilliwack, The Fraser Valley Salmon Society, the provincial government, the Fraser Valley Regional District and the City of Chilliwack.

“We all feel terrible that these visitors had their property and stays in our City ruined by one thoughtless individual, “said Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz. “Our entire community is on high alert and watching for suspicious behavior.”

Plans to address the vandalism include increasing Citizens on Patrol presence in the affected areas while also helping to educate the general public on how they can report suspicious behavior.
Numerous Chilliwack businesses and organizations such as the Fraser Valley Salmon Society have also come forward with assistance and support by offering a three thousand dollar reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person responsible.

“The fishing community in Chilliwack has used these senseless crimes as an opportunity to show visitors that one individual’s actions do not reflect the majority,” said Tourism Chilliwack Executive Director, Brian Coombes. “We understand this situation has been very upsetting and we want people whose property has been vandalized to know that the citizens of Chilliwack do not take this lightly.”

If you have any information on the recent vandalism involving American vehicles, please call CrimeStoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or the Chilliwack RCMP non emergency line at 604.792.4611. If suspicious activity is noticed, witnesses are encouraged to contact the Chilliwack RCMP non emergency line at 604.792.4611. Please report incidents of poaching and polluting to the provincial RAPP line at 1.877.952.7277.
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