A new provincial task force has been formed to address the growing number of threats and extortion shootings aimed at the community of Asia in southern British Columbia.
Directed by the BC RCMP, the working group will bring together 40 members of several law enforcement agencies.
In addition, $ 300,000 of the Federal Action Fund of Gun Gun and Gang are directed to the Local Police to support extortion investigations and the Crime Stoppers for their public awareness campaign on extortion.
“No person, family or businesses in our province must be threatened in this way and we must do everything possible to stop these crimes,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Security and Attorney General.
Surrey’s police service says it is investigating 45 extortion threats and 27 related shootings in the city only this year.
Arrests have been made in some cases of extortion, according to the BC RCMP assistant commissioner John Brewer, although he did not specify a number.
The mayor and the police chief of Surrey have announced a fund worth $ 250,000 for councils that lead to successful condemnations of extortion cases in the Vancouver subway community. As Pinki Wong reports, the announcement occurs in the midst of an increase in extortion cases a large exortion to members of the community of southern Asia in Surrey.
Brewer said the Police have sent recommendations of positions about some of the investigations that are currently in front of Crown’s lawyer for evaluation.
“This dedicated and expanded team brings additional resources, intelligence analysts and tactical skills of multiple application agencies with the aim of protecting our communities while chasing those responsible for violence, intimidation and fear,” Brewer said.
Earlier this week, the mayor of Surrey, Brenda Locke, announced a fund of $ 250,000 to reward the presenters who present information that leads to successful extortion condemnations in the city.
And yesterday, Peel Regional Police of Mississauga announced that Gurdeep Shergill de Delta, BC, had been accused of extortion and two shooting charges with intention. The charges are related to two shootings in Brampton, Ontario. Shergill was arrested in Surrey and transported to Brampton, where he is waiting for a bail audience.
Brewer said that extortion perpetrators can direct the range from family members to those connected to international gangs.
The RCMP has linked the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, based in India, to the threats of extortion in the community of southern Asia, designating a call from the BC Prime Minister David Eby and others so that the gang declared a terrorist organization.
Reluctance to appear
The sergeant of the Surrey police staff. Lindsey Houghton said that one of the problems facing the police is the reluctance of people with information to present themselves.
“I recently talked to a person who was shot at his house. They looked me in the eye and told me that they know that the people of the community know that they are behind this, but they are choosing not to present themselves,” said Houghton.
“It is frustrating and discouraging for our researchers. I think we all have some work to do on the side of education, making possible victims and victims feel comfortable in the future,” he said.
Krieger said that the victims’ help line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 100 languages and that extortion victims can be eligible for support through the crime victim assistance program.
