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Port Moody police ask for public help in catching arsonist

By Patrick Penner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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November 28, 2024

Glenayre Elementary. Google image

Port Moody Police are asking for the public’s help to catch a culprit who has seemingly been trying to burn down Glenayre Elementary School

Const. Sam Zacharias, media relations officer for the force, said their officers and Port Moody Fire Rescue Service firefighters have responded to three separate fires deliberately set at the school on Nov. 9, 11 and 24.

“All of the fires have occurred outside of school hours and have been set in very close proximity to the school structure,” Zacharias said. “There has been no damage to school property fortunately.”

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On the last attempt, a teenage boy in dark clothing was seen fleeing the scene on this bicycle, according to a witness.

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward by contacting their non-emergency line, or Crimestoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

The Dispatch reached out to the Port Moody Police for more details, but did not receive a response by deadline.

Author

Patrick Penner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Having spent the first 20 years of his life in Port Moody, Patrick Penner has finally returned as a hometown reporter.

His youth was spent wiping out on snowboards, getting hit in the face with hockey pucks, and frolicking on boats in the Port Moody Arm.

After graduating Heritage Woods Secondary School, Penner wandered around aimlessly for a year before being given an ultimatum by loving, but concerned, parents: “rent or college.”

With that, he was off to the University of Victoria to wander slightly less aimlessly from book, to classroom, to beer, and back.

Penner achieved his undergraduate degree in 2017, majoring in political science and minoring in history.

To absolutely no one’s surprise, translating this newfound education into career opportunities proved somewhat challenging.

After working for a short time as a lowly grunt in various labour jobs, Penner’s fruitless drifting came to an end.

He decided it was time to hit the books again. This time, with focus.

Nine months later, Penner had received a certificate of journalism from Langara College and was awarded the Jeani Read-Michael Mercer Fellowship upon graduation.

When that scholarship led to a front page story in the Vancouver Sun, he knew he had found his calling.

Penner moved to Abbotsford to spend the next three years learning from grizzled reporters and editors at Black Press Media.

Assigned to the Mission Record as the city’s sole reporter, he developed a taste for investigative and civic reporting, eventually being nominated for the 2023 John Collison Investigative Journalism Award.

Unfortunately, dwindling resources and cutbacks in the community media sphere convinced Penner to seek out alternative ways to deliver the news.

When a position opened up at the Tri-Cities Dispatch, he knew it was time to jump ship and sail back home to beautiful Port Moody.