Authorities are being largely close-mouthed about a series of actions now resulting in the boarding up of four houses along the unpaved laneway behind St. Matthew’s Anglican Church.
Plywood affixed to windows and doors followed a raid by specialized RCMP units assisted by the Terrace RCMP the morning of March 8. Shortly before noon the same day there was a fire at the easternmost of the four houses .
Flames spread the blaze so it threatened the four-floor apartment-style buildings under construction next door.
The March 8 police raid, which also resulted in the closing off of the Lakelse Ave. block containing Totem Furniture and St. Matthew’s, featured the use of an armoured vehicle favoured by the police emergency response teams.
“[The] Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit B.C. was in Terrace and with the support from the Terrace RCMP and North District Emergency Response Team, executed several search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation,” said Staff Sergeant Lindsey Houghton who speaks for the unit.
“As it is ongoing, we are unable to provide any additional details at this time.”
The March 8 raid was at least the fourth in two years by the RCMP using multiple officers along the laneway.
An Aug. 8, 2022 raid in which an emergency response team played a part stemmed from what Terrace RCMP at the time called an ongoing investigation.
“The assistance of the ERT was utilized to ensure public and police safety during the execution of the warrant,” Terrace RCMP said.
A search of court records uncovered one set of charges associated with that raid — assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm. The charges relate to an incident on Aug. 2, 2022, six days before the Aug. 8, 2022 raid.
A second raid on May 18, 2023 resulted in the seizure of weapons, drugs and the arrest of several individuals.
“Anytime we can remove drugs and weapons from the streets, it helps make the community that much safer,” said Inspector Terry Gillespie from the Terrace RCMP detachment.
Jan. 4, 2024, featured a third raid, this time with an RCMP using a megaphone to instruct occupants of one house to exit.
Six individuals left the house and, under police orders, backed up toward RCMP officers, arms raised, before being searched and handcuffed.
“A variety of weapons were located and seized during the search, including knives, sword, batons, bow and arrows, ammunition and bear spray,” a police release stated.
The six were released and police said they would be submitting informations to provincial prosecutors for charge consideration.
Additionally, a fire in a shed attached to one of the houses brought out the Terrace fire department and members of the Thornhill Volunteer Fire Department the morning of Nov. 8, 2022.
There were no injuries and the blaze was quickly brought under control.
But the late morning fire at the back of the easternmost of the four houses on March 8 was more concerning for firefighters.
“Due to the fast flame spread and strong wind conditions, the under-construction apartment building adjacent to the residence was starting to combust,” said fire chief Chad Cooper.
Firefighters were already on the block assisting RCMP officers who were part of the raid down the laneway to the west earlier in the day.
“Protecting our community housing supply is a top priority of the fire department especially with the housing shortage experienced within our community,” said Cooper.
Why Terrace firefighters were assisting the RCMP has not been explained.
“The city is working with RCMP following their recent activity and investigation at these locations and we are considering what actions may be appropriate,” said city communications advisor Kate Lautens.