Delaying decision on Surrey's policing plans was the right move, councillors say
B.C.’s public safety minister made the right call asking for more information before approving Surrey's policing plans, according to two city councillors.
Coun. Linda Annis told CTV News she supports Mike Farnworth’s decision to wait because she, too, has questions she’d like answered before moving forward.
Annis noted there were significant discrepancies in the information provided to the province by Surrey RCMP and the Surrey Police Service.
“What are the real numbers?” she asked. “We need them before we can make an informed decision.”
Farnworth decided to prolong the process earlier this week after reviewing submissions from the city and both law enforcement agencies on who should police the province’s fastest-growing city.
At a press conference on Thursday, he called the transition “complex” and said officials need to ensure a safe and adequate plan is in place before approving the city’s plans.
“This is the largest RCMP detachment in the country and it’s certainly the largest transition, I would suggest, in the history of the province,” he said.
Coun. Doug Elford said he agrees with Farnworth’s decision, but that residents need an answer soon.
“We need to know what direction we’re going to be going in, regardless of the decision, and I think the public is tiring of the debate. Surrey has a lot of other things we need to be dealing with,” said Coun. Doug Elford.
Some of those other issues include affordability and a growing unhoused population — the latter of which Jeff Schantz, a member of Anti-Police Power Surrey, would like funds directed to instead of law enforcement.
“If we’re serious about talking about public safety, wellness, wellbeing, and health in the city of Surrey, then we should be looking beyond policing,” he said.
In an email to CTV News, Surrey RCMP said it will be working with the city, B.C. RCMP, and the Police Services Branch “to ensure any additional information and data the province is seeking is supplied to them as soon as possible.”
There is still no timeline as to when a decision will be made.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.