THE Safe Surrey Coalition on Friday slammed Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke for using scare tactics to try and reverse the ongoing police transitioning and urged her to stop playing politics with public safety.
It said in a statement: “The Safe Surrey Coalition is deeply concerned by Mayor Locke’s recent proposal to implement a 55% tax increase for one year to supposedly fund the Surrey Police Service. This tax hike is unnecessary and is a fabricated number that is nothing more than a scare tactic used by Mayor Locke to intimidate Surrey taxpayers and interfere with decision-making at the Provincial level.”
The SSC pointed out: “During the election, Mayor Locke falsely claimed that the transition to the Surrey Police Service would cost Surrey taxpayers $520 million over four years, which we now know is false. It is also unclear why Mayor Locke wants to force Surrey residents to pay for costs that will be incurred over a five-year period in just one year. This is a clear example of Mayor Locke’s bully tactics and her personal vendetta at the expense of Surrey taxpayers.”
The SSC added: “We urge Mayor Locke to consider more responsible and transparent financial strategies that prioritize the needs and well-being of the community, and to stop playing politics with public safety. Hiking taxes by 55% for one year is not good stewardship and we strongly oppose this proposal.”
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