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Fire destroys medical marijuana grow-op Chilliwack firefighters spent more than eight hours Monday battling a stubborn fire in a former chicken barn in Greendale. Crews from four Chilliwack halls were brought in to fight the blaze, which broke out at around 8:30 a.m. on Chadsey Road near Duke’s Pub on Yale. When firefighters arrived, thick smoke could be seen venting from the 120-metre, metalclad building. Flames were soon billowing out the western end, and the centre portion of the structure. Witnesses on scene said the 13,000-square-foot barn had been converted into a licensed medical marijuana grow-operation – a fact later confirmed by fire officials. The fire was eventually brought under control by 1:30 p.m., but it wasn’t until 4:30 that all the hot spots were extinguished. The interior of the barn was difficult to access and firefighting activities were restricted to the exterior of the structure, fire officials said. The barn was completely destroyed by the fire, however crews were able to save a large utility building attached to the barn. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. For video from the fire, go online to www.theprogress.com
People watch as firefighters tackle a barn fire on Chadsey Road just south of Yale Road on Monday morning. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Policing priorities in the RCMP survey spotlight Jennifer Feinberg The Progress They’re looking for your feedback when it comes to Chilliwack crime, policing priorities and public safety. Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment is now seeking the input of citizens with an online survey.
It will be open for two weeks, allowing residents across the eastern Fraser Valley the chance to offer the RCMP input anonymously as they gather information for a strategic plan. “We value the opinions of the general public,” said UFVRD Commander Supt. Deanne Burleigh. “And we’re interested in knowing about community pri-
FOR LIFE’S ’S
orities and concerns, as we make plans to shape our service in the future.” The survey is seen as a means of “reaching out” to the communities served by the regional detachment, and for citizens views on various aspects of the service provided by the RCMP in the Upper Fraser Valley. The strategic plan will provide a ‘road map’ for the UFV regional detachment, assisting with deci-
sion-making about where to put resources to best serve community needs. “This is about our local communities,” says Supt. Burleigh. “We know there are provincial and national issues in the news about the RCMP, and these are ongoing and important priorities. However this process focuses on our service to communities in the Fraser Valley where we are the local police department.”
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The survey will be available online until April 24. It is anonymous, and the answers will be submitted to an independent third party who will provide the RCMP with a summary report of the responses. Results of the survey will be released locally and there will also be presentations to community partners. The survey has 10 questions Continued: RCMP/ p11
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Answers will help them draft strategic plan