What else can police in Surrey do to stop the ongoing turf war?
Posted April 19, 2015 10:01 am.
Last Updated August 19, 2015 12:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – RCMP have released the names and mug shots of those involved in a turf war linked to nearly two dozen shootings in the Surrey-Delta area since the beginning of March, but what else can they do to stop the violence?
The appeal to friends and family for more information is a good idea says SFU Criminology Professor Ehor Boyanowsky. “That sort of socio-metric network really works because one person may know something, especially if the parents start getting concerned it could then mount a whole community effort to do something about this situation.”
He explains it’s difficult for police to move along with an investigation when no one cooperates. “All they need is one connection, one clue, and then they can move forward. At this point, they’re just stymied. It’s not rocket science, but the appeal is an alternative.”
He adds the move to release names and pictures not only informs the community but serves as a warning to those involved — that they’re on to you. “Its warning individuals that, ‘If you’re seen in the company of these individuals, you’re more likely to become collateral damage. This has happened to even friends of my son here in West Vancouver, when someone he knew was in the company of a known gangster and someone drove by and shot them both.”
The men involved in this turf war are of South Asian and Somalian descent and have told investigators things like ‘the bullets fell from the sky,’ and ‘I will take care of it myself.’
“While both the victims and suspects in these cases are determined to settle their differences outside the law, we are determined to stop the violence. We are disappointed with the lack of cooperation from the victims and we know the community is frustrated as well,” says Surrey RCMP Superintendent Bill Fordy.
On Tuesday, Surrey RCMP, the Surrey School District, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and Mayor Linda Hepner will be hosting a forum at the Tamanawis Secondary School to talk about the recent violence. The meeting gets underway at 7 p.m. and it’s open to the public.
