FOLLOWING three recent shooting incidents in Surrey that have left three people dead and two others in critical condition, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said on Monday: “This violence is unacceptable and deeply troubling for the people who live and work here.”

In a statement, Locke said: “Gang activity has posed a serious threat to public safety in our city and across the region for decades, and it continues to put lives at risk today.

“I have written to Surrey Police Board chair Harley Chappell calling for an immediate review of the decision to redeploy members of the Surrey Police Service gang unit for the purposes of staffing District 4 (Cloverdale) in April. These officers play a critical role in combatting gangs, extortion, and targeted violence. The board should ensure that SPS has a clear plan to address gang activity in our city.

“Surrey has always invested heavily in anti-gang messaging and fully staffed a specialist gang unit. This was recently discontinued by the chief of police. It is critical that the Surrey Police Service have the right plan in place to combat gang violence in our city, and collapsing this unit at a time when we are experiencing heightened levels of gang violence sends the wrong message.

“The City of Surrey stands at the ready to continue to do our job with the resources needed, as we have demonstrated with increased funding of nearly $100 million since 2021, and funding for 189 new officers this year alone.

“There is no time to waste. Residents deserve clear answers and a concrete plan from SPS to address gang activity and stop the gun violence in Surrey. People deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods.”