There is an arsonist at work in Brookswood and vandalism is also on the rise.
The latest target was a school portable that was torched on Saturday night on the grounds of Noel Booth Elementary in the 20200 block of 35 Avenue.
Langley RCMP's Serious Crime team has taken over the investigation as this is the fourth suspicious fire in the Brookswood area over the past couple weeks.
The previous three arsons took place at the nearby Brookswood Baptist Church on Feb. 12, 18 and 28.
The suspects torched a storage trailer the Baptist Church had parked in the parking lot. The arsonist came back and did some more damage the next time.
On Feb. 28, anti-religion graffiti was spray painted along half of the building and the suspect/s got inside and caused a small fire there too, said police.
While this is going on, Brookswood residents have been noticing that graffiti and vandalism has been on the rise lately, with graffiti found on bus stops and other places around town.
Police are asking residents in the area to be extra vigilant and pay attention to suspicious people and vehicles in the area. Don't hesitate to call 911 if any concerns arise, said Cpl. Holly Marks.
Arsonists often use recycling and discarded materials left in close proximity as a starting agent or tinder for fires.
In order to alleviate the chances of someone using your discarded material to cause unnecessary and potentially extensive damage, there are some simple tasks you can perform, said Marks.
- Keep your recycling/garbage inside your garage until the morning it is to be collected. If you have combustible or flammable material in your garage that you no longer need, consider disposing of these items to the appropriate recycling agency.
Residents in the area are asked to survey their garage space and outbuildings and take notice if any spray paint or combustible material is missing. If this is the case, please call Langley RCMP.