Surrey leaders call for urgent action on extortion threats as officials and residents gather at a Father’s Day forum amid a wave of violent incidents.
Community Gathers to Address Growing Safety Threat
On Father’s Day, a Surrey banquet hall—previously the site of a shooting—became the epicentre of urgent public discussion, as residents, business owners, and political leaders gathered for a high-stakes forum on rising extortion threats. The event, attended largely by the South Asian community, came in response to an alarming increase in threats and violence targeting local businesses.
Calls for Action from Business and Political Leaders
Satish Kumar, a local businessman and forum co-organizer, revealed he had received chilling messages demanding millions and threatening death. He shared visuals of these messages with the crowd. “You’re next. You will be killed,” read one of the warnings. Two businesses linked to Kumar have already been targeted by gunfire. His appeal was simple: “We need solutions, and we need them now.”
The forum drew high-ranking figures from all levels of government, including B.C. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg, federal and provincial MPs like Sukh Dhaliwal and John Rustad, and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke.
Mayor Locke Demands Federal and Provincial Support
Mayor Brenda Locke delivered a powerful message, calling the situation a “public safety crisis” and placing responsibility on the province to accelerate support and resources. “Policing Surrey is at risk today. This is not an experiment,” Locke declared, urging B.C.’s leadership to address service gaps left by the city’s ongoing transition to the Surrey Police Service (SPS).
Locke outlined four federal requests, including real-time intelligence sharing, emergency federal grants, victim protection guarantees, and a joint audit of how the police transition may be impacting organized crime. She vowed to write to Prime Minister Mark Carney for immediate action.
Officials Stress Importance of Reporting Extortion
Minister Begg acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. “No one should feel unsafe in their community,” he said, highlighting ongoing provincial investments exceeding $100 million in anti-gang and organized crime enforcement.
He emphasized the need for public cooperation: “Report every threat. The data is essential to tackle organized crime effectively.” He also confirmed that the RCMP has launched a national support team to coordinate with local police forces.
Surrey Police Chief Acknowledges Underreporting
SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski confirmed that only 10 extortion cases have been officially reported in Surrey over the last six months but admitted the real number is likely higher. He encouraged more victims to come forward, stating that the police were closely monitoring online chatter for leads but noted that not all claims seen on social media could be verified.
Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat from the RCMP echoed this concern, emphasizing collaboration across police agencies. “This is a shared fight. We are united in our efforts,” she said.
A City Caught in Transition, Residents Demand Stability
The forum underscored a core issue: the fragile state of public safety during Surrey’s transition from RCMP to SPS. Mayor Locke reaffirmed her support for the community, demanding clarity, urgency, and accountability from both provincial and federal governments.
“Surrey is undergoing the largest police transition in North American history. The province must do its part to ensure our residents are protected every step of the way,” Locke stressed.
The event ended with a resounding message: the community is watching, the danger is real, and action can no longer wait.
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