Surrey Calls for 150 More Police Officers to Combat Extortion Surge
The City of Surrey is appealing to both the federal and provincial governments for the temporary deployment of 150 additional police officers to help address the city’s growing extortion and shooting crisis targeting local South Asian businesses and residents.
Mayor Locke Demands Urgent Action
In a press release issued Friday, Mayor Brenda Locke said Surrey is facing daily fear and violence that has shaken the community.
“We are living it every single day – the fear, the intimidation, the violence,” Locke said. “Families and business owners have had their lives and livelihoods deeply affected. Our city cannot, and will not, endure it any longer.”
Locke met with Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger on October 30 to discuss the crisis. She also sent letters to federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, urging both levels of government to make the wave of shootings and extortions a top law enforcement priority.
Federal and Provincial Cooperation Sought
Locke emphasized that the provincial government is responsible for ensuring adequate and effective policing in B.C. and called for stronger cooperation from both Ottawa and Victoria. She also urged amendments to the Criminal Code to strengthen provisions against organized crime.
“We need the provincial and federal governments to work with us as full partners to restore safety to our community,” Locke said. “We will not stop pushing until every person in Surrey can feel safe again.”
Reward Fund and Safety Measures
On September 15, the city launched a $250,000 reward fund—one of the largest in Canadian history—for information leading to convictions in extortion-related crimes. A dedicated Surrey Extortion Tip Line was also established at 236-485-5149.
In addition, Surrey has upgraded over 600 traffic intersection cameras to higher-resolution systems to improve public safety. Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski said the reward aims to encourage residents to share vital information to aid arrests and prosecutions.
At a Surrey Police Board meeting earlier in September, officials noted that B.C. maintains the strictest Crown Counsel charge approval threshold in Canada, limiting police authority to lay charges directly.
Surrey’s leadership continues to press for urgent support as extortion-linked violence threatens the safety and peace of the city’s neighborhoods.
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