IN the face of escalating violence and the alarming increase in brazen shootings within the City of Surrey, former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum and Safe Surrey Coalition councillors Doug Elford, and Mandeep Nagra, said on Monday that they feel compelled to address a matter of utmost importance – the safety and well-being of our community.

In 2024 alone, Surrey has witnessed five shootings, the most recent being on February 2, where a shocking incident occurred in broad daylight at a busy commercial strip mall. “The audacity of this act underscores the urgent need to prioritize the safety of our citizens. We cannot afford to let our streets become a battleground, where innocent members of the public, including seniors and children, could be caught in the crossfire of reckless violence” said Elford.

McCallum said that these reckless shootings, which are becoming increasingly brazen by the day, are a direct consequence of Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke’s petty and vindictive politics that are undermining public safety in our city. He added: “It is with great concern that we point out that there are 50 Surrey Police Service (SPS) officers ready and waiting to be deployed to protect our community. However, Mayor Brenda Locke is obstructing their deployment as part of her petty political games with the provincial government.”

“These 50 SPS officers, if allowed to be deployed, would bring much-needed boots on the ground and significantly increase police presence throughout Surrey,” said Nagra.

McCallum said that it is perplexing that while some municipalities are grappling with police shortages, Locke is intentionally blocking the deployment of 50 SPS officers who are eager to serve our community. “This has allowed crime and gun violence to surge, with perpetrators becoming increasingly brazen, all due to Mayor Locke’s persistent vindictive undermining and politicization of policing in Surrey,” he added.

The Safe Surrey Coalition said: “We urge Mayor Brenda Locke to put aside her petty and vindictive politics and prioritize the safety and well-being of Surrey residents. It is time for her to follow the law and allow for the immediate deployment of these 50 SPS officers to patrol our streets, ensuring that our community remains safe and secure for seniors and young families.

“We cannot afford to let politics overshadow the safety of our city. It is time to act decisively, and together, we can make Surrey a safer place for all its residents.”