Extortion cases are on the rise south of the Fraser River, capturing significant attention within the region. To combat this escalating issue, the provincial government has announced additional funding to support law enforcement efforts.
The Ministry of Public Safety recently revealed plans to inject $600,000 into the Provincial Forensic Firearms Lab. This funding boost aims to enhance investigations into organized crime, gang activities, and gun-related violence. It will also assist in covering overtime expenses for police officers involved in extortion cases.
Since the start of the year, British Columbia has seen close to 50 extortion incidents, averaging nearly two per day. Surrey has been particularly affected, with 35 reported cases within its jurisdiction. Shockingly, seven of these incidents involved shots being fired. Victims typically receive threatening messages demanding a substantial sum of money, coupled with warnings of violence or property damage if the demands are not met.
In a notable case from last year, Kap’s Café, a local eatery with ties to a prominent Bollywood figure, faced repeated vandalism and temporary closures due to extortion-related threats.
The recent funding announcement follows a controversial statement by a senior RCMP official who downplayed the severity of the extortion situation in the province. Meanwhile, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has called for the establishment of a national extortion commissioner to coordinate efforts among law enforcement agencies, governments, experts, and community leaders nationwide.