B.C.’s Anti-Extortion Campaign Raises Awareness, But Is It Effective?
A week into B.C.’s new anti-extortion initiative, doubts are emerging about the campaign impact—especially in Surrey, the province’s current hotspot for extortion threats. Rolled out as a 60-day public awareness drive, the $100,000 taxpayer-funded campaign includes multi-platform ads and a Crime Stoppers tip line, aiming to help families, business owners, and individuals identify and report threats.
A Surge in Cases, But Little Measurable Change
Surrey Police Service has confirmed 19 extortion cases so far this year. While two arrests were made last week in relation to 2023 cases, officers say there has been no noticeable increase in reports directly linked to the campaign.
Staff Sergeant Lindsey Houghton explained that unless victims explicitly mention the campaign when contacting police, its true reach remains hard to trace. “It doesn’t mean the problem is going away,” he added, pointing to the continued urgency around these cases.
A Focus on the South Asian Community
The campaign comes amid a troubling spike in extortion threats within Surrey’s South Asian community. Just days before the arrests, BC RCMP highlighted the sensitive nature of these investigations and stressed the importance of community cooperation.
The campaign is being delivered in both English and Punjabi across radio, podcasts, social media, Spotify, and TV. Its intent is not only to educate but also to build trust so that victims feel safe coming forward.
Hope, But No Hard Data Yet
While the campaign may be raising awareness, real-world outcomes remain uncertain. Police are hopeful that increased visibility will encourage more people to speak up. However, without a measurable uptick in reports, its effectiveness is still up for debate.
As the campaign runs through August, officials will be watching closely to assess whether information and outreach truly translate into safety and action.
Stay tuned to Surrey Speak for community-first updates, public safety stories, and voices that matter.
