Sunshine Coast RCMP detachment commander Staff Sgt. Poppy Hallam says she’ll be meeting with officials from the District of Sechelt after break-ins at homes in the evacuated Seawatch subdivision.
Hallam confirmed that RCMP were called around 11 p.m. on Sept. 1, after the owner of a home on Gale Avenue North was alerted by their security company that an alarm had been triggered.
Since the evacuation of the 14 homes was ordered in mid-February, RCMP and other first responders have been following a protocol of not entering the evacuation zone except in cases where there’s an “imminent risk” of bodily harm or death.
Hallam said the officers who responded Sept. 1 did an on-site risk assessment and decided to enter the barricaded neighbourhood because the alarm was recent and they felt there was a good chance of catching whoever was responsible.
No one was found inside; however, the officers also noticed the front door ajar at a neighbouring home.
No suspects were found. “But it was obvious someone was in there,” Hallam said.
Hallam told Coast Reporter that RCMP are also investigating reports from last month that a home on Seawatch Lane had been broken into and two others on Gale Avenue North had been damaged.
RCMP have been regularly patrolling the perimeter and the District of Sechelt had committed after the evacuation to using drones and video to monitor the neighbourhood.
“I have asked for a meeting with the District of Sechelt to come up with a plan on how we’re going to respond and what other proactive things we can do,” said Hallam, who added that up to now there haven’t been any problems reported in the neighbourhood.
“The [security] fence remains in place and RCMP will respond as necessary. The information on the break-ins has been passed to the province,” district communications manager Julie Rodgers said in response to Coast Reporter’s request for comment on security arrangements in light of the break-ins.
Late Wednesday, RCMP said they are going through security camera and drone footage in an effort to identify the suspects, and are asking any area residents with surveillance cameras that face the street leading up to the fenced area on Gale Avenue North to contact the RCMP. Investigators are specifically interested in video footage from September 1st between 9:30 p.m. and midnight.
