SURREY — New support for anti-gang outreach work was announced today (Thursday) by Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnwarth.
A new outreach vehicle, a newer-model Range Rover SUV painted with anti-gang images and messages supporting the End Gang Life program and Surrey’s own “Shattering the Image” program, has been provided by B.C.’s Civil Forfeiture office.
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Surrey RCMP’s Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) will use this “rolling billboard” in its work to deter children, youth and young adults from high-risk criminal lifestyles.
“Local police officers who work to dispel myths about gang life and steer young people toward crime-free futures have a new vehicle to bring people into vital conversations with them,” says a B.C. government news release.
The announcement was made alongside RCMP at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in Whalley.
“We want the broadest possible audience of parents, young people and other Surrey residents to hear about the dangers of gang life,” said assistant commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Surrey RCMP officer in charge.
“The high visibility of this vehicle at local Surrey events and schools will help us reach more people and help youth understand the often dire consequences of gang involvement.”
The Range Rover brings to 23 the number of forfeited vehicles that the province has made available to B.C. police and domestic violence agencies over the past eight years, to aid in local community engagement and crime prevention. Although many of the vehicles are equipped with emergency lights and sirens, none are used for patrol or other operational policing.
See also: ‘Frightening’ to hear Grade 6 not early enough for gang intervention: Surrey mayor
See also: Violent crime in Surrey fell by eight per cent in 2017, police say
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