Cloverdale Opens Candid Conversation on Safety and Homelessness
Cloverdale public safety and homelessness in Surrey took center stage as the Cloverdale Business Improvement Association (BIA) hosted a crucial community safety forum on July 23. The gathering, held at Clova Theatre, united local business owners, citizens, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and city representatives for a timely dialogue about safety concerns affecting the town centre.
The BIA’s executive director, Paul Orazietti, acknowledged the moderate turnout but emphasized the value of the conversations that took place. “We weren’t there to solve everything in one night,” he explained, “but to share insights, compare approaches, and kickstart a better flow of information between groups.”
Rather than focusing solely on policing, the forum explored broader social issues such as homelessness, drug use, and community well-being. The diverse panel of speakers included Heather Paradis from Surrey Police Service (SPS), RCMP’s Sgt. Bob Keay, and Carmen Hall, the City of Surrey’s Homelessness Services Lead. Inspector Darin Sheppard also contributed to the discussion, offering key takeaways from recent city safety data.
Homelessness Spike Sparks Concern
A major revelation from the forum was the 66% increase in homelessness across Surrey in just the past two to three years. Carmen Hall detailed how this surge has impacted public spaces, business districts, and community services.
Adding to concerns, business owners described how public drug use is becoming widespread, with many reporting individuals passed out in and around their establishments. These situations, they say, are not only disruptive but deeply distressing.
Building Bridges Between Communities and Services
Orazietti noted the value of hearing from business owners who operate across multiple cities. “They highlighted how responses to homelessness and safety differ between municipalities,” he said. “It showed that sometimes it’s not just up to city governments—community organizations and support networks play a huge role too.”
The forum also revisited the idea of reinstating the “Heads Up” program—an initiative that promotes non-emergency information sharing between the police, BIA, and local businesses. “It’s about opening consistent dialogue, not just reacting to crisis,” he said.
Action Starts with Awareness
The forum wrapped up with a 30-minute Q&A session followed by informal panel conversations. Among the recurring questions was how local businesses can continue to report ongoing issues—especially “bad activity” in public areas—effectively and without delay.
“We’re encouraging people to follow up,” said Orazietti. “We don’t handle individual cases, but we want to keep these conversations going.”
The event wasn’t about quick fixes, but about planting seeds for collective action—strengthening trust between the city, police, and businesses, while facing uncomfortable realities together.
Stay tuned to SurreySpeak for more stories that spark solutions and bring communities closer.
