SURREY SEES DOUBLE-DIGIT DROP IN CRIME, BUT VIOLENT CRIME ONLY FALLS
BY 5 PER CENT

Surrey has seen double-digit decreases in many common crimes from
break-ins to car thefts since 2006, but relatively little progress in
reducing violent crimes, according to statistics released in a report
to city hall on Monday night.

The city's Crime Reduction Strategy Progress Report shows a
24-per-cent decrease in car crimes, a 20-per-cent drop in
break-and-enters, a 19-per-cent reduction in general property crimes
and an overall reduction of crimes in all categories committed between
2006 and 2009 of 10 per cent. However, violent crimes were down only
five per cent in the same period.

The crime-reduction strategy was implemented in 2007. The 2010 figures
will be available this summer, but police have indicated they continue
the downward trend. "While there is always more to be done, the work
of the last four years has resulted in many new partnerships, holistic
problem-solving approaches and progress in addressing the root causes
of crime in our city," Mayor Dianne Watts said in a preface to the
report.

"I think what it emphasizes," Coun. Barbara Steele said at the
meeting, " is . . . so many places are still making lists of what
needs to be done, when in Surrey we are one of the few places that can
actually say we are doing something."

Coun. Barinder Rasode added that "when the CRS was first initiated it
was the first in the country that took such a holistic approach."
Coun. Bob Bose sought clarification on some of the numbers in the
report, over concerns numbers of crimes reported looked too high.

The report also outlined progress made in cracking down on marijuana
grow houses through a municipal electrical-inspection program
targeting homes with unusually high uses of power. Between 2007 and
2010, the strategy revealed, there has been a 65-per-cent reduction in
the number of grow-ops.

Over the course of the program, which was launched in March 2005,
1,256 sites were inspected, 945 had their power terminated and 312
were ordered to repair faulty or dangerous wiring.

Watts said the strategy has seen the city and police partner with more
than 50 community groups to develop new ways to target criminals.
Among the new programs launched in the city are a boost to officer
foot patrols to increase police visibility, a Surrey RCMP
crime-analysis unit that identifies hot spots and trends, an expansion
of the Meth Watch program that now sees 188 businesses monitor meth
precursor sales and a gang-intervention program launched in Surrey
schools in 2009.