FORMER Surrey mayor Doug McCallum and Safe Surrey Coalition (SSC) councillors Mandeep Nagra and Doug Elford on Thursday slammed Mayor Brenda Locke for her recent actions regarding the Surrey policing transition, accusing her of misusing Surrey taxpayer dollars for her “own petty and vindictive political agenda, resulting in a staggering financial and social cost to the city.”

McCallum said: “This is not just a matter of policing; it’s about the responsible governance of our city. The transition to Surrey Police Service (SPS) is a provincially mandated change that we must respect. Mayor Locke’s deliberate attempts to delay this transition are not only unlawful but have also led to an unnecessary expense of $120 million of taxpayer money.”

Nagra emphasized the financial implications of Locke’s actions, noting: “Her refusal to comply with the provincial directive has led to the operation of two police forces simultaneously, costing the city an extra $8 million per month. This is a clear waste of resources that could have been directed towards more critical needs of Surrey such as senior and social housing.”

Elford pointed out the misleading nature of Locke’s public relations campaign: “Half a million dollars have been squandered on a campaign that spreads misinformation about the city’s financial state. Claims that the policing transition will reduce funds for schools and healthcare are baseless and deceitful, as these are provincial responsibilities.”

The Safe Surrey Coalition further criticized Locke for the projected double digit property tax increase, the highest in Surrey’s history, attributing it to her petty vendetta against the SPS transition. “This tax hike is a direct result of Mayor Locke’s inability to lead and manage the city’s finances effectively,” McCallum asserted.

McCallum, Nagra and Elford noted that as the SPS ramps up its operations, there will be a proportional decrease in RCMP expenses. This means there should be no overall increase in the policing service budget and is in line with the City of Surrey’s 2024 budget allocation. SPS’s proposed budget was reviewed by auditor Deloitte and would use $142 million of the city’s $337 million available funds for policing in the city, according to city financial plans and reports.

“This further discredits Mayor Brenda Locke’s claim that there will be a double-digit property tax increase. If there is a double digit property tax hike, it is not due to SPS policing budget constraints but rather a result of Brenda Locke hiring expensive consultants, poor financial mismanagement and petty vindicative political motivations,” said McCallum.

The statement also highlighted the contrast with the previous Safe Surrey Coalition administration’s fiscal policy under McCallum’s leadership, where property taxes were consistently tied to the CPI at 2.9%.

The Safe Surrey Coalition said: “If Mayor Locke continues to disregard the best interests of Surrey residents, we urge the provincial government to consider allowing for her recall. Surrey deserves leadership that prioritizes the welfare and prosperity of its people, not one that is swayed by political affiliations and personal vendettas.”

It reiterated its commitment to responsible governance and financial stewardship, aiming to restore trust and integrity in Surrey’s city hall.