Surrey shootings: RCMP announce five arrests
Police say investigators, analysts heading to Surrey in wake of surge in gun violence
RCMP say they have arrested five people and seized 13 firearms in relation to a string of more than 30 shootings which have plagued Surrey in recent months.
Speaking at a press conference called to quell growing fears about a conflict police say is linked to the drug war, Surrey mayor Linda Hepner joined police leaders to promise an increase in resources to tackle the violence which has resulted in one death.
A bail hearing is set next week for two of the men charged with weapons offences in relation to what RCMP characterize as a low-level drug war.
Alex Blanarou and Robert Dennison are scheduled for a bail hearing on April 13.
Fordy: "You expect us to stop the violence and I have the same expectation." <a href="https://t.co/6pc2wsP0iN">pic.twitter.com/6pc2wsP0iN</a>
—@Jesse_Johnston"We're going to make it very uncomfortable," said RCMP Asst. Commissioner Dan Malo. "You're going to change your behaviour, or we're going to change it for you."
Malo announced an influx of investigators and analysts to target the problem, which he said involves a battle for control of the street-level drug market.
He said the situation is very different from the type of high-level gang fights the Lower Mainland has seen in recent years. He said the players in the latest conflict were young men whose friends and family are turning a blind eye to their activities.
Malo said new resources would include the gang unit, monitor rooms, criminal and open source analysts, as well as community and educational support.
He said officers would also call on increased air support as well as the force's behavioural scientists to identify and deal with the people involved.
The RCMP's dog handling team have also been provided photographs of perpetrators and will spend their time focusing on those individuals.
Fordy: "We are using licence plate recognition technology." Only in RCMP vehicles, traffic cameras don't have it.
—@Jesse_JohnstonHepner said police would also have round-the-clock access to the city's network of traffic cameras, which have previously only been accessible during the city's working hours. Surrey also plans to add 75 new cameras, bringing the total to 400.
Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. Bill Fordy said the situation angered him, but assured the community that police were making progress.
To that end, he announced charges against three individuals, including Blanarou and Dennison.
He said RCMP need the community to unite behind police to fight the problem of youth in the drug trade and announced a forum to be held next Monday to address the issue.
- Surrey RCMP investigate fourth shooting in four days
- Surrey RCMP investigating third shooting in 3 days
- Surrey shootings: How many times can history repeat itself?
Many of the shootings have taken place between cars at major city intersections. Police believe warring dial-a-dope gangs, mostly young men between age 17 and 24, are responsible.
A recent string of four shootings in four days, and 32 targeted shootings since since the beginning of the year, has put the city and its residents on edge.
Darlene Bowyer of the Surrey Association of Sustainable Communities says it's time all levels of government come together to find solutions.
"The community is tired of hearing that it's a targeted shooting and nobody's really at risk. Yes we are," said Bowyer. "This is our community. We have bullets flying in our streets. Good grief, anyone can get hit."