New wave of shootings in Surrey has forced Mayor Linda Hepner to take some tough action on the related gangs. She along with Public Safety Minister Mike Morris are expected to make an announcement about the ongoing violence today at 2 pm.
The city has already seen 32 shootings this year while last year there were 47 reported shootings.
Talking to the media yesterday, Hepner proposed to change the rules for criminal prosecution to get more accused culprits before the courts.
“We have become so overburdened with process requirements,” Hepner said in an interview.
“Lessening that charge-approval process in terms of how many i’s need to be dotted and t’s need to be crossed is, in fact, going to he helpful. It allows us to get people before the court sooner.”
NDP MLA Bruce Ralston, who represents a Surrey riding, however doubted a change in prosecution protocols would help.
Meanwhile former mayor Dianne Watts is now calling for an amnesty program to get guns off Surrey's streets.
She told CTV she believes many people know there are firearms at home, but don’t know what to do about it.
“Typically, they’re not going to call the police and turn their son in or put them in jeopardy where they might be charged,” Watts said.
She's proposing a temporary three-week amnesty and says parents who hand over guns could be assured their children won’t be charged for having them.
