After Surrey saw its 22nd homicide of the year this week – the highest annual number ever – Local NDP MP Jinny Sims delivered a strong message to the Conservative government:

“For all of its talk about mega prisons and getting tough on crime, it’s obviously failing vulnerable communities. The numbers speak for themselves. It’s getting worse on Stephen Harper’s watch.”

Under the current Conservative government, cities across the country have seen cuts to front-line street police presence; there has been no move to invest in youth crime prevention, and no strategizing around the issue of gang-related violence.

Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have failed to deliver on their 2006 promise to put more front-line police on the beat in vulnerable communities; weakened many gun safety measures in Canada, ignoring blunt advice from the RCMP; failed to invest in youth crime prevention strategies; and made cuts to CBSA staffing.

“I am proud to be a member of and stand in solidarity with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society,” said Sims. “We can make our communities safer. Please join me in asking the Conservative government to pay attention.”