Valleyview dealership frustrated, exhausted after fourth break-in in seven months

“They tried to steal some units out of our back lot. They managed to grab a few dirt bikes, some generators and they were trying to go for a quad and side-by-side as well,” Seneshen told CFJC Today.

Gate damaged in last week’s break-in. (Image Credit: Contributed / RTR Performance)

The four dirt bikes and one of the generators were recovered a short time later, but Seneshen says that doesn’t ease the frustration.

“It’s frustrating. It’s time-consuming. It’s not even just the stuff they’re trying to take. It’s also the time involved — my time,” she said. “My next, usually, at least day or two afterward is all phone calls and fixing and going through camera footage and downloading that and contacting the police and window companies, fencing companies, etc. And it’s the time and the money involved in the repairs.”

RTR has invested in significant security measures for its property along the Trans Canada Highway frontage road, but Seneshen worries the uptick in criminal activity in Valleyview means it’s only a matter of time before the business is hit again.

“It’s not getting any better. Something needs to happen, something needs to change — whether we’re cracking down a little bit harder on criminals or whatever the source, but something definitely needs to happen,” she said.

Fence and bars damaged in last week’s break-in. (Image Credit: Contributed / RTR Performance)

Seneshen feels there is a correlation between the criminal activity and social housing units in the area. B.C. Housing recently revealed it is leasing the nearby Lamplighter Motel and says it leases other motel spaces for social housing.

“It makes me wonder sometimes if they’re choices of locations are appropriate. A lot of them are centred around areas of businesses and they’re getting hit hard,” said Seneshen. “I’ve heard of a few other companies who have decided to leave the Valleyview area because they’re getting broken into too much or they’re getting threatened by homeless people.”

She adds the Valleyview business community keeps a watchful eye for suspicious behaviour, but feel they are fighting a losing battle.

“We’ve done what we can, right? We’ve got sensors and cameras and chain link with barbed wire and bars on the windows and big steel bars across the gates and thick chains and everything. But it’s kind of getting to the point where, if they want it bad enough, they’re going to do whatever it takes.”

Vehicle damaged in last week’s break-in. (Image Credit: Contributed / RTR Performance)

by James Peters

Valleyview dealership frustrated, exhausted after fourth break-in in seven months

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