Surrey is facing a chilling crisis: a relentless wave of extortion shootings that authorities are now calling a “terror attack in slow motion.” Businesses, particularly within the Punjabi community, are being systematically targeted, gripped by fear and facing impossible choices.
The escalating violence has prompted urgent calls for action from all levels of government. Last year alone, the Surrey Police Service recorded 132 extortion attempts, nearly half of which involved gunfire. This year, the situation is worsening, with 36 reported extortions already, eight resulting in shootings, and 21 victims identified.
Mayoral hopeful Linda Annis has unveiled a comprehensive plan to confront this escalating threat. Her strategy centers on bolstering police capabilities, demanding greater support from both the provincial and federal governments, and equipping officers with the tools they need to regain control of the streets.
Annis is advocating for changes that would empower B.C. police to swiftly lay charges, granting them real-time access to the city’s traffic camera network, and providing the Surrey Police Service with a dedicated helicopter for rapid response and surveillance. She also proposes increased roadside checks to disrupt criminal activity.
Premier David Eby has echoed the urgency, pointing to a critical flaw in the current system that allows individuals involved in these crimes to potentially receive refugee status. He’s calling for an immediate closure of this loophole and urging the federal government to pass bail and sentencing reforms.
Surrey’s Mayor Brenda Locke is also heading to Ottawa, seeking a significant increase in RCMP officers. While the city initially requested 150 additional Mounties, the current offer is only 20. Despite this shortfall, Locke remains hopeful that further progress will be made.
Beyond immediate reinforcements, Annis envisions a dedicated police training center within Surrey, accelerating the recruitment and deployment of new officers. She also supports Police Chief Norm Lipinski’s request for access to an RCMP helicopter, recognizing the vastness of the city and the need for aerial surveillance.
A key component of Annis’s plan involves the swift deportation of foreign nationals implicated in extortion crimes. Investigations are already underway, with the Canada Border Services Agency scrutinizing 111 individuals for potential inadmissibility to Canada. Seven individuals have already been charged by the B.C. Extortion Task Force.
The message is clear: a visible and forceful police presence is paramount. Annis insists that the men and women of the Surrey Police Service and the RCMP must be equipped with every possible advantage to dismantle these criminal networks and restore a sense of safety to the community. Anything less, she argues, is simply unacceptable.
