'FOUR-TIER' CRIME STRATEGY

A New Direction For Crime Reduction In Surrey Was Unveiled This Week.

A 38-member crime reduction task force met Monday morning to review
crime strategies brought back from Britain last month by Surrey Mayor
Dianne Watts and a 12-member delegation of city staff, police and
provincial bureaucrats.

Some of the tools used in Britain include the use of closed circuit
television surveillance, identifying repeat offenders, a focus on
treating drug-addicted criminals and an integrated role for the
community and faith groups.

Watts grouped several British principles into four key areas which
will be modified into a "made-in-Surrey" crime reduction strategy.

The four "tiers" include:

1. Prevent and deter crime

2. Catch and convict perpetrators

3. Rehabilitate and integrate offenders

4. Reduce public fear of crime

The mayor's presentation summarizing the trip to Britain and the
subsequent four principles generated an ovation from the 30 people in
the mayor's boardroom at city hall.

"Watch out," said Dr. Darryl Plecas, professor of criminology at the
University College of the Fraser Valley. "Surrey is going to make a
difference."

He said the introduction of British methods is timely. Just last
month, the police commissioner in that country said parts of London
are so safe, it's okay to leave doors unlocked.

The British are seeing crime drops of up to 35 per cent in some
jurisdictions, while others have little or no reduction.

Watts said the system needs to be customized to fit each community, a
point on which police and criminologists agree.

Coun. Barbara Steele, who joined the Aug. 11 delegation to Britain,
told the group that reaction from the local community has been overwhelming.

"Since we've been home, every person we've talked to has been
positive about what we're doing here," Steele said. "The support we
have from this community is absolutely critical."

In fact, Surrey RCMP Chief Superintendent Fraser McRae described the
strategy as a "community-driven" initiative that relies on key groups.

A member of the faith community said his churches are eager to play a part.

"This brings hope," he said. "It says we have a leadership that's
willing to do something."

He noted his faith groups are already working hard in the community,
but putting all stakeholders behind the same initiative is key.

Sue Hammell, NDP MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, said she's noticed a
"sea change" in the city and RCMP, particularly the willingness to
work with community groups in preventing crime.

Stakeholders will now break into four groups, each representing one
tier of services.

The discussion of a strategy will be brought to the city's police
committee this month.