SURREY (NEWS1130) - Surrey is on the threshold of an economic boom with major new developments getting underway.
Its mayor is confident people looking at the city as their new home or work place won't be swayed by a recent spike in violent crime.
Monday night, the city unveiled its designs for new town centres for Guildford, Semiahmoo, Cloverdale Fleetwood and Newton, as it promotes itself as an up and coming destination for new families and businesses.
Mayor Dianne Watts says news of a fatal shooting at a Surrey McDonald's restaurant, a deadly stabbing at a house party and two other violent attacks is tragic.
"If you look at the context of a major city, these things are going to happen. The biggest thing we can do, because two of these individuals are very young, is to teach our kids to resolve conflict without using a weapon," Watts says.
Watts is quick to defer finger pointing. She says violent crime happens all over the Lower Mainland.
She's not worried about the rapidly-growing city's family-friendly reputation.