Those who were sure that putting more RCMP “boots on the ground” would be a panacea to Surrey’s street violence should be getting a rude wake-up kick right about now.
Last year, the city recorded 56 shootings, mostly of the drive-by variety and many of them connected to a dial-a-dope turf war unfolding in Surrey and North Delta.
Hands were wrung, political speeches were spoken and promises were made to bolster the Surrey RCMP’s Mountie contingent by 100 new officers. Presumably, nerves were settled.
Did the shootings stop? Nope. So far this year, there have been 15 shootings.
The last one, at least at this time of writing, happened last Friday night in Panorama Ridge, in the area of 128th Street and 56th Avenue. Police reported that no victims were located.
If this pace continues, we can expect 60 shootings in 2016 — more than last year — despite having 100 more cops here.
Surrey RCMP brass, and local politicians, must be tearing their hair out. So what’s the solution?
Anyone?
The Now
