The Whistler RCMP is seeking suspects in connection with numerous counts of mischief in the Whistler Interpretive Forest.
The suspects are believed to have caused $5,000 in damage to signs in the forest, each of which had heavy wooden backings that were burnt and metallic information boards that are believed stolen.
The incident took place on Aug. 25 at an area off Craterview Loop near Cheakamus Lake Road, according to an RCMP news release.
Three signs were damaged, according to Staff Sergeant Steve Leclair of the Whistler RCMP. He said one sign had a picture of a black bear standing on a log; another is a sign with information about visual landscape analysis and application; the third is a sign about the northern spotted owl.
Leclair said the RCMP has no idea who carried out the mischief, but police have nonetheless increased patrols near the Whistler Interpretive Forest.
“It’s not so much we go on a regular basis,” he said. “We have been out there over the past week or so, familiarizing ourselves more with the area.”
It’s believed that materials from the signs were used for a campfire or bonfire, as empty alcohol containers were found near the sites where the counts of mischief took place.
