POLICE CRACKDOWN SPURS EXODUS OF DRUG DEALERS

Extra Surrey Police Shoo Criminals From SkyTrain Stations

From his hot-dog cart at the Surrey Central SkyTrain station, Stephen
Smith has seen more than his share of strange things.

But in the past three weeks -- since Surrey RCMP and TransLink special
constables joined forces under Operation Exodus in an attempt to reduce
crime at the city's four commuter train stations -- Smith said an absence
of drug dealers hanging around his station makes the heart grow fonder.

"It's cleaner, and if one dealer shows up, he leaves right away or they get
him out," said Smith. "It's good for business because now the regular
people will realize it's clean here again and they can come back here and
not have to worry."

Under Operation Exodus, one RCMP member teams up with a special constable
to monitor SkyTrain trains, stations and the immediate surrounding areas.

Surrey RCMP Staff-Sgt. Rick Deets said Operation Exodus checks located 297
people with criminal records and 97 without between Feb. 23 and March 4.

Sixty-two people were taken into custody on outstanding warrants, one
missing person was located, 10 people were prohibited from riding the train
because they were drunk, 11 drug seizures were made and four people were
found in possession of a restricted weapon -- two cans of bear spray, a
crowbar and a machete.

The TransLink special constables also ticketed 137 riders for not paying
their fares.

"There's quite a few people with criminal records who are using the trains
to transport stolen property," Deets said.

SkyTrain riders backed the program wholeheartedly.

"It's sort of scary at night here because there are so many kids hanging
around," said University of B.C. student Iris Juan, 20, of Surrey.

"I think we need more security on the busy days and more at nighttime,"
said Burnaby mom Amanda Aberdeen, 19, with 10-week-old Caleaha in tow.

"Other than that, they are doing a fine job."

TransLink director Marvin Hunt said he hopes to expand the operation to
other communities along the SkyTrain routes.

Deets speculated that crime from Surrey's SkyTrain stations has simply been
displaced to neighbouring municipalities like New Westminster.

But Staff-Sgt. Casey Dehaas of New Westminster police and Hunt said that's
not happening to a large degree yet. And if it does, they're prepared.

"We put extra foot patrol officers in our downtown area and at the SkyTrain
stations and we've picked off a few drug dealers and, basically, they have
not taken a foothold here," said Dehaas.

Operation Exodus works in conjunction with Operation Extricate and
Operation Clean Sweep -- both aimed at cleaning up crime in the Whalley area.