Q1. Surrey has seen a troubling rise in shootings and extortion-related incidents over the past year. What is driving this escalation?
What we are seeing is a complex mix of organized crime, fear, and opportunity. Extortion is not a new phenomenon, but the way it is manifesting here has evolved. Criminal networks are targeting South Asian businesses and families while leveraging encrypted apps, social media, and transnational connections to intimidate victims while distancing themselves from the violence on the ground. Obviously, money is a central motive, but creating conditions of fear that will ensure payment is the environment the criminals want. What concerns me most is that these crimes create ripple effects far beyond the intended targets. That is why the response cannot be limited to arrests alone. Enforcement is critical, but so is prevention, community trust, victim support, and early intervention before young people are pulled into that lifestyle.
Q2. You’ve previously said, “We make arrests, and they recruit more.” Why does the cycle of gang recruitment continue despite ongoing enforcement and arrests?
Because gangs do not just recruit with fear, they create false promises of identity, belonging, money, and perceived status. If we only remove individuals from the system without addressing the underlying vulnerabilities that made them susceptible in the first place, someone else will fill that void. Over the years, I’ve worked in intelligence, enforcement, and intervention, and I’ve met many young people who were not looking for a criminal lifestyle initially. They were looking for acceptance, purpose, recognition, or quick financial gain. Enforcement disrupts and prevents harm, and it absolutely matters. But long-term success also requires strong families, mentorship, schools, community organizations, positive role models, and opportunities for youth to feel connected before gangs reach them first.
Q3. Recent Surrey Police Service statistics show a dramatic spike in extortion cases targeting the South Asian community. What patterns are investigators seeing, and how organized are these networks?
There are certainly patterns investigators are seeing, but I also want to be careful not to overgeneralize or stigmatize an entire community. The vast majority of people in the South Asian community are hardworking, law-abiding individuals who are themselves deeply impacted by this violence and intimidation. What we are seeing is that some extortion attempts involve organized networks with high levels of sophistication. In most cases, threats originate overseas or through encrypted communication platforms, while local actors may be used to carry out intimidation or violence. There are also cases where opportunistic “copycat” individuals attempt to exploit fear and media attention. These investigations are complex and often involve multiple jurisdictions and agencies.
Q4. Many business owners and families say they are living in fear but are hesitant to come forward. What would you say to them?
I understand the fear. But silence can also increase vulnerability. Reporting matters because it gives investigators the ability to identify patterns, connect incidents, assess threats, and intervene before violence escalates. I also want people to know that policing today is not just about taking a report and leaving. Victim safety planning, reassurance, proactive patrols, referrals to support services, public safety camera deployments, and ongoing communication are all part of the response. We want victims to know they are not alone in this. At the same time, trust is earned. Communities need to feel heard, respected, and supported. That is why relationship-building and culturally informed engagement are so important in these situations.
Q5. BC recently introduced the Firearm Violence Prevention Act, aimed at closing loopholes around organized crime and gun violence. In practical terms, how much of a difference do you believe this can make?
Legislation can be a valuable tool, especially when it helps investigators intervene earlier, disrupt criminal activity, and reduce access to firearms. But laws alone are never the complete solution. The real impact comes from how effectively those tools are integrated with intelligence-led policing, prosecution, prevention, and community partnerships. Organized crime adapts quickly, so our response must evolve just as quickly. I do believe strong legislation sends an important message, but sustainable public safety also depends on investments in youth prevention, mental health support, education, and community resilience.
Q6. There have been concerns about police resources being stretched thin, including the reassignment of officers from Surrey’s dedicated gang unit. How much of a challenge is resourcing right now?
Resourcing is always a challenge in policing, especially when dealing with highly complex investigations that require specialized skills, long hours, surveillance, intelligence analysis, and coordinated operations. At the same time, public safety threats do not pause while organizations adapt or restructure. Police agencies across the region are working collaboratively because organized crime does not respect jurisdictional boundaries. I think it is important for the public to understand that these investigations often involve significant behind-the-scenes work that is not always visible. But yes, sustained investment in public safety resources remains important. Also, let’s not forget that these extortionists have used blatant violence to intimidate families, and having specialized gang unit members respond to these emerging threats was a natural fit.
Q7. You’ve spent years working on prevention and intervention. Why is prevention just as important as arrests around gang violence?
Because prevention saves lives before they enter the justice system. An arrest may stop someone from causing harm today, but prevention can stop a young person from ever becoming involved in that cycle in the first place. Some of the most meaningful work I’ve been part of involved helping families navigate difficult situations, connecting youth to support, or seeing someone successfully exit that lifestyle.
Q8. Social media and encrypted communication platforms have changed how gangs recruit and operate. How has policing evolved to keep up?
Technology has fundamentally changed the landscape. Recruitment, intimidation, coordination, and even conflict escalation can now happen instantly online. Policing has had to evolve through specialized investigative techniques, intelligence analysis, digital evidence collection, and partnerships with other agencies. But this is also bigger than policing. Parents, educators, and community leaders need to understand how online influence impacts youth identity and behavior. We need more digital literacy, mentorship, and honest conversations with youth before those influences take hold.
Q9. Do you believe enough is being done collectively—by government, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations—to address the root causes of gang involvement?
Many dedicated people are doing important work, but I believe there is still a gap between recognizing the problem and responding to it early enough. One of the biggest gaps is coordination. Too often, organizations work in silos even though vulnerable youth move between school systems, social systems, peer groups, and online spaces. Prevention requires long-term collaboration, not short-term reactions after violence occurs. We also need more accessible mentorship, culturally responsive services, trauma-informed support, and opportunities for youth to succeed outside of the criminal economy.
Q10. We’ve heard from people impacted that investigations and arrests in gang-related cases often feel slow-moving. Why do they take time, and what is being done to improve results?
I understand why people feel frustrated, especially when they are living with fear and uncertainty. But organized crime investigations are often extremely complex. Investigators are not just trying to solve one incident; they are trying to identify networks, gather evidence that meets court standards, prevent retaliation, and ensure charges are sustainable. Rushing investigations without sufficient evidence can jeopardize outcomes. That said, there is always room to improve. Agencies are continually looking at better strategies to respond more effectively and proactively.
