Pubdate: Wed, 06 Apr 2016
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Frank Bucholtz

SURREY SHOOTINGS OUT OF CONTROL

Surrey RCMP have now been called to 31 shots-fired incidents in 2016 
- - as of Monday evening. (There may well be more by the time this 
column is published).

While there has only been one death as a result of the gunfire at 
last count, there have been five injuries. Nine buildings have been struck.

Perspective is important. The 31 shots-fired incidents represent half 
of all such incidents reported to police last year. That was a year 
in which police and members of the public both made it clear there 
were a staggering number of shots fired.

If this year's incidents continue at the same rate, there will be 
twice as many in 2016.

While most of these incidents are related to drugs, gangs and fights 
over turf, that is cold comfort to Surrey residents. Many of these 
shooters are inaccurate; the likelihood of shots hitting an innocent 
person, vehicle or residence are quite high. While most incidents 
take place in the later evening hours, that doesn't mean an innocent 
person won't be struck.

Such a situation happened last year in Abbotsford, where an innocent 
man out in his yard was killed by gunfire aimed at a neighbouring 
residence. The drug turf war in that city strongly resembles the one 
in Surrey, and some of the players are the same.

Surrey RCMP Supt. Manny Mann said at a press conference on Friday 
that "I can confirm that five of the 28 incidents (as of Friday) are 
associated to a new drug-related conflict between two groups."

After that press conference, there were two shootings on the weekend. 
In one, which took place on Saturday, one man was seriously injured 
when shot near Kirkbride Elementary at 92 Avenue and 122 Street. The 
next day, there was a shooting near 88 Avenue and 132 Street, near 
Surrey Fire Department's headquarters.

It is obvious the shooting situation is completely out of control. 
While police know some of the people involved, any arrests they may 
have made haven't stopped the spate of shots fired. Surrey may have a 
large extra contingent of police officers, as promised by 
politicians, but that is having no effect on the indiscriminate shooting.

Several points need to be made.

One is that the guns used are almost all handguns - and most of those 
are coming in illegally from the U.S. where it is easy to buy a 
handgun. Most people realize handguns are the weapon of choice for 
criminals, and that any gun-control measures proposed in Canada are 
completely useless in stopping such shootings.

Another point is that the pending legalization of marijuana, as 
planned by the federal Liberal government, will not stop the gang 
wars. While some of the gangs currently fighting in Surrey may be 
trying to elbow others out of the marijuana business, that is likely 
just a small component of the battle.

If and when marijuana is available legally at stores, drug gangs will 
simply find other lines of business. Indeed, much of their business 
today is in other lines. It is instructive that at Friday's press 
conference, the RCMP unveiled the results of a huge drug seizure.

A total of $4.5 million worth of heroin, cocaine, crystal 
methamphetamine, fentanyl and fake oxycontin was seized from a 
vehicle in Newton on March 16. Facing four drug charges is Pardip 
Hayer, 30, of Abbotsford.

The drug business is a big business. Those involved stand to make a 
lot of money, and many of them will likely die young. Meanwhile, 
innocent people are at risk as the gangsters shoot at each other from 
cars, set up ambushes, shoot into houses and bring mayhem to Surrey 
neighbourhoods.

What, if anything, will the city and Surrey RCMP do to reduce the 
number of shots-fired incidents?
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom