The mayor of Surrey, Linda Hepner, insists that her city is not to blame for gang-related crime.
Hepner spoke at a Board of Trade event on Tuesday night where she told reporters that the issue is actually a regional one.
News1130 quoted her saying, “You know it’s a regional issue that continues to play out and we’ll take the collaborative effort of everyone and this is a great example, this forum tonight.”
While the mayor has taken this stance, Surrey has already seen 31 shootings that are purportedly gang related in this year alone.
Combating Gang Activity
The mayor remarked that numerous improvements in public safety were recently made. She also highlighted the addition of over 100 new mounties to the city as well as a half-million dollar pledge from the public safety minister.
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The pledge goes toward a new program called the Surrey Wraparound Program. The program strives to deter youth from feeling persuaded by the gang-lifestyle appeal. Ultimately, the initiative is meant to target highly suggestible teens before they get involved dangerous patterns.
Hepner is also working with RCMP to launch a Bar Watch Program. The program would allow police to get known gang members to leave establishments prior to causing trouble.