Community needs to do more to stop shootings according to Surrey acting mayor
There have been 30 shootings in Surrey so far this year
Surrey's acting mayor says though there are more police officers on the streets, the community needs to step up in order to help stop the shootings.
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"Policing is really just one piece of the puzzle. We are looking for the community, we are looking for parents to be active," said Surrey councillor and acting mayor Tom Gill.
The latest two shootings over the weekend brings the total number of shootings up to 30 so far this year. Gill says council has reacted to the on-going issue.
"We increased the RCMP by 100 new members, we've currently received 93 members" he said, "we are well on our way to ensure the resources are there."
Surrey beefs up enforcement in past year
- Appointed a community safety director
- RCMP appoints new pro-active enforcement officer
- Police made 800 arrests in 2015
- Province approved 100 new RCMP officers
- Province created a youth engagement program
Speaking to the CBC's Rick Cluff on The Early Edition, Gill echoed Mayor Linda Hepner's call for parents to turn their children in to police if they know their children are involved in gangs or crime.
"There are some parents that understand what their kids are doing and they are not deterring their own kids," he said.
"There needs to be more grassroots involvement from the community," said Gill.
He says they are working with the city's director of public safety to create programs that encourage more participation from the community.
With files from the CBC's The Early Edition and Samantha Garvey.
To hear the full story listen to the audio labelled: Community needs to do more to stop shootings according to Surrey acting mayor.