Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

15-Point Plan To Fight Crime In Surrey

Alex Sangha , 07 Sep, 2017 01:32 PM
    Crime is a major problem in Surrey especially in the new transitioning downtown core of Surrey City Centre.
     
    The city is growing so rapidly that crime is becoming a complex social problem that needs a multiple layer approach. 
     
    The city can benefit from more police, more patrol, and more prevention as the cornerstones of this three-pillar approach.
     
    The “no call is too small” philosophy needs to be put into practice as it is in Delta.
     
    Safer streets are the foundation to build a stronger community. 
     
     
    15-POINT PLAN
     
    Below is a common sense 15-point plan to fight crime in the city: 
     
     
    1.      Hire new Surrey RCMP police officers to keep pace with population growth and the needs of the city. 
     
     
    2.      The Surrey RCMP force needs to be diverse and representative of the community it serves to build trust and integrity with the population. 
     
     
    3.      Surrey needs to compare the number of police officers per capita with other comparable cities in Canada and around the world.  An analysis of cities that have low crime rates needs to be completed and similar strategies can be applied in Surrey.
     
     
     
     
    4.      Create a 2500-person strong community police force to patrol the streets.  This would be a volunteer reserve force.  Surrey RCMP police officers and city bylaw officers could be recruited from this reserve force as a priority.   These volunteers would also gain valuable experience to work in corrections, border security, and the Canadian forces.
     
     
    5.      Enhance the victim assistance program where criminals convicted of serious crimes would be forced to pay 15% of their gross income for up to 15 years after release to the victim assistance fund. 
     
     
    6.      Install cameras and better street lighting in all high crime areas of the city.
     
     
    7.      Establish a community court at the old City Hall in Newton to rehabilitate minor offenders, especially youth, to give them a second chance at life.
     
     
    8.      Liaise with various stakeholders including higher levels of government to reduce social problems linked to crime such as poverty, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental illness.  Develop a strategic plan to eliminate, reduce, or prevent crime before it even happens.  The city can expand the social planning department significantly with more social workers and researchers to develop the social and economic case for higher levels of government to provide financial resources to resolve Surrey’s growing social problems.   
     
     
    9.      Develop and fund recreational, leisure, and sporting programs for residents in the community, especially youth, to participate in to deter them from a life of crime including gangs.
     
     
     
     
    10.  Increase funding to the Surrey Crime Prevention Society and the Block Watch program to keep pace with population growth and to meet the needs of the city.
     
     
    11.  Enhance services and supports to victims of domestic violence so they have real choices and safe options and are not forced to live in dangerous, fearful situations. 
     
     
    12.  Keep Surrey clean and well-maintained to reduce graffiti and vandalism so that residents take pride in their city.
     
     
    13.  Have the Surrey School District hire more security and police liaisons for all schools to ensure kids are safe and not at-risk of criminal activity such as getting involved in gangs, and drugs.
     
     
    14.  Have the Surrey School District develop a peer support mentorship program in schools to guide youth in a healthy positive direction with their future.
     
     
    15.  Have the Surrey School District develop courses and workshops on anti-bullying, racism, and other forms of discrimination, as well as educate the students on how to stay safe.
     
    CONCLUSION
     
    There you go!  This is a common sense 15-point plan to fight crime in Surrey.  Feel free to provide your feedback.
     
    Last, specific cultural and ethnic communities may need a custom-tailored response to address crime within their communities.  This includes the South Asian community where the families and community at-large needs to play a bigger role in terms of addressing male privilege and entitlement and how it impacts the paths our youth find themselves on and their social outcomes.
     
     
     
    AUTHOR BIO
     
    Alex Sangha is an award-winning author and social worker based in Surrey, B.C.  He has an MSc in Public Administration and Public Policy from the Department of Government at the London School of Economics, as well as a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Social Work from UBC with a First Class Standing.  Alex has lived in Surrey for over 20 years
     

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Activist Jaggi Singh Claims Quebec City Is Too Racist For Him To Receive A Fair Trial

    Jaggi Singh is facing a charge of obstructing justice after his arrest in connection with an Aug. 20 demonstration in the city.

    Activist Jaggi Singh Claims Quebec City Is Too Racist For Him To Receive A Fair Trial

    Doors Shut To Public At Murder Trial Of Man Accused Of Killing Off-Duty Cop

    Doors Shut To Public At Murder Trial Of Man Accused Of Killing Off-Duty Cop
    HALIFAX — A pre-trial hearing for a Halifax man accused of murdering an off-duty police officer will be held behind closed doors.

    Doors Shut To Public At Murder Trial Of Man Accused Of Killing Off-Duty Cop

    Officials Plan B.C. Wildfire Evacuation Centre Closure, As Fires Still Rage

    Officials Plan B.C. Wildfire Evacuation Centre Closure, As Fires Still Rage
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Social services officials in British Columbia's southern Interior hope at least one large centre for wildfire evacuees can be closed this weekend, despite warnings that the wildfire season in the province isn't over.

    Officials Plan B.C. Wildfire Evacuation Centre Closure, As Fires Still Rage

    New Brunswick Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Sues Her Family For Brutal Beating

    New Brunswick Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Sues Her Family For Brutal Beating
    The man's lawyer, David Lutz, says it was not up to the girl's family or other vigilantes to punish the man — that's the job of the courts.

    New Brunswick Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Sues Her Family For Brutal Beating

    Complaints About N.S. Judge Who Said 'A Drunk Can Consent' Will Be Investigated

    Complaints About N.S. Judge Who Said 'A Drunk Can Consent' Will Be Investigated
    Justice Michael MacDonald issued a statement Thursday saying a three-member review committee will look into allegations of misconduct against Judge Gregory Lenehan.

    Complaints About N.S. Judge Who Said 'A Drunk Can Consent' Will Be Investigated

    Toronto's Deputy Mayor Under Fire For Saying City Planner 'Should Stick To The Knitting'

    Toronto's Deputy Mayor Under Fire For Saying City Planner 'Should Stick To The Knitting'
    Toronto's deputy mayor is coming under fire for comments he made about the city's outgoing chief planner, which critics are calling sexist.

    Toronto's Deputy Mayor Under Fire For Saying City Planner 'Should Stick To The Knitting'

    PrevNext