Amid rising extortion crimes impacting the South Asian community and businesses in Surrey, Mayor Brenda Locke is calling for urgent action. Locke emphasized the need for 150 additional police officers to combat the escalating violence that has plagued the city.
Expressing her concern for the community’s well-being, Mayor Locke stated, “It is heart-wrenching to witness such profound impact on our city. We cannot allow this to persist any longer.” In efforts to address the pressing issue, Locke recently met with Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger in Victoria to discuss strategies for enhancing public safety.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Mayor Locke has reached out to federal authorities, including Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, urging for support in deploying specialized officers to tackle organized crime, financial crimes, and firearms interdiction. She emphasized the importance of a coordinated law enforcement response to curb the violence plaguing Surrey.
In addition to advocating for increased police presence, Mayor Locke has called for amendments to the Criminal Code, seeking stronger measures against organized crime. Her proactive stance comes in the wake of recent arrests made in connection with an extortion-related incident that involved gunfire in Surrey.
As the Surrey Police Service grapples with a spike in extortion cases, with a significant number involving firearm-related incidents, Mayor Locke remains dedicated to addressing the root causes of these crimes. In a bid to encourage community involvement, the city has allocated a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions related to extortion offenses.
Individuals with information pertaining to extortion-related activities are encouraged to contact the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149. The tip line operates seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Punjab-speaking officers available to assist if needed.