Amid Surge in Extortion Crimes, More RCMP Officers Deployed to Lower Mainland
The increase in extortion-related crimes in the Lower Mainland has sparked concern, with Canada’s Minister of Public Safety emphasizing the need for immediate action. Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced plans to boost ground efforts by deploying additional RCMP officers to address the rising criminal activities.
In a collaborative effort, Anandasangaree held discussions with key officials, including B.C. Premier David Eby and RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, stressing the importance of unified action across all levels of government to combat criminal networks.
The decision to send 20 more officers and allocate helicopter resources to Surrey reflects the urgency and seriousness of the situation. While demands for a ‘state of emergency’ declaration have been raised by local authorities like Surrey city council, Anandasangaree’s statement did not mention such a declaration.
Furthermore, the government has allocated $4 million in federal funding to the Regional Drug Enforcement Team (RIDET) and an additional $1 million to aid victims in the province, demonstrating a multi-faceted approach to combating the escalating crime wave.
As of recent reports from the Surrey Police Service (SPS), there have been 36 extortion cases affecting 21 victims, including eight shootings since the beginning of the year.
Keyphrase: extortion crimes surge