Police continue to grapple with gang turf wars in Surrey/Delta
By Castlegar Source
Today the Surrey RCMP, RCMP Lower Mainland District and the City of Surrey announced the creation of a tip line dedicated to gathering information about the shootings that have occurred in Surrey and Delta over the past six weeks. The tip line is 604-915-6566 and will be monitored 24/7.
The commander of the RCMP’s Lower Mainland Regional Police Service, Assistant Commissioner Dan Malo said, “The law enforcement agencies in the Lower Mainland and the municipalities of Surrey and Delta are united in addressing the now-fatal conflict between two lower-level drug trafficking groups whose turf war has erupted on our streets. The issue is certainly not about lack of police resources or level of integration between agencies. This is about the continued lack of information being shared by those criminals involved in this violence.”
A significant number of law enforcement agencies are working on the shooting investigations including the Surrey RCMP, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC), Delta Police, and Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). Twenty-two shootings have been recorded in Surrey and Delta since March 9, 2015.
“The police have shared everything possible with the public as we know how these situations can escalate. Unfortunately, this situation escalated over the weekend and, sadly, a 22-year-old man has been taken from us,” said C/Supt Bill Fordy, officer in charge of Surrey RCMP. “To the people who are involved in these shootings, the choices you are making could also easily lead to your death, or that of innocent people in the community not connected to this conflict.”
Police have determined that 14 of the 22 shootings are related to a South Asian group and Somalian group involved in low-level drug trafficking. The victims and intended victims of the shootings have been uncooperative with police, which has significantly impacted the ability of police to make arrests.
“The police are doing all that they can, but they need information,” says Mayor Linda Hepner. “The code of silence we have seen so far will only result in more heartache for the loved ones that are left behind. That is why I am imploring that anyone who has any information to come forward, do the right thing, and contact police.”
“The community of Delta and the Delta Police are stakeholders in a cross jurisdictional crisis that is putting our communities at risk,” says A/Chief Lyle Beaudoin, Delta Police. “As you can see from the leadership here today, this is our number one priority. We all live, coach, work and raise our families in our respective communities and we are committed to ensuring long term public safety that restores public confidence. If you have any information to help us advance these investigations, please contact us directly via the new tip line or Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous.”
“The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team will continue to work in conjunction with our partners throughout the lower mainland in our investigation of the murder of Arun Bains. IHIT is asking anyone who has information regarding the murder of Arun Bains to come forward and share it with police,” says Superintendent Dwayne McDonald, Officer in Charge of IHIT.
“It is essential for cooperation and coordination between our policing partners. CFSEU-BC is working closely with the RCMP, IHIT, and Delta PD to restore the sense of safety and security back to the Lower Mainland,” says C/Supt. Kevin Hackett of the CFSEU-BC. “We want people to know engaging in this sort of brazen violence is unacceptable and offenders will be targeted.”
Surrey RCMP, City of Surrey, Surrey School District, and CFSEU-BC will host a Community Forum tomorrow evening (April 21) at Tamanawis Secondary School at 7 p.m. The forum will provide parents, students and area residents with information regarding the recent shootings in the area and the issues that are contributing to this type of violence.
Timeline of Shootings:
March 9-April 13 – click here to see timeline
April 15, 2015 at 1:04 a.m. – Witnesses called police after observing a red Dodge Ram pickup and a dark grey sedan or SUV shooting back and forth at one another along 66 Avenue near 128 Street. Shell casings recovered by Police. No victims reported to hospitals.
April 17, 2015 at 10:21 p.m. – Multiple reports of gun shots near 66 Avenue and 121 Street. One witness observed a grey sedan fleeing the area. Shell casing recovered by police. No victims reported to hospitals.
April 19, 2015 at 0249 hours – Homicide of Arun Bains.
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