SURREY RCMP on Thursday informed the public of a joint initiative with its municipal and provincial partners to identify and address distressed properties in the City that are causing public safety and social issues in the community.
The Surrey RCMP’s Community Response Unit (CRU) and Criminal Analysis Section have been working together to identify areas in Surrey with higher crime statistics and calls for service trends. They were able to further attribute these trends to certain individuals and residences in those areas.
Together with the City of Surrey Bylaws Community Enforcement Team and Fire Services Community Property Safety Team, along with the British Columbia Bailiff Services, CRU officers have addressed these individuals and properties from both an educational and enforcement perspective.
Since the subject matter can be overwhelming, a Property Owner / Problem Property Eviction Process package was developed which provides pertinent information for property owners to help them better understand their roles, rights, and obligations. This empowers property owners to take greater ownership and effectively manage their properties before they become a community, policing or bylaw problem.
This package also serves as a baseline notification for uncooperative property owners which will enable expedited Bylaw enforcement and financial sanctions in order to more effectively mitigate the negative impacts of problem properties on our community.
As of April 2019, approximately 18 properties have been identified. Since that time, Surrey RCMP and its partners have worked closely with the property owners to help educate them on their responsibilities and reduce calls for service in the surrounding areas.
“Working with our municipal and provincial partners to address distressed properties in our community is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and collaboration amongst all parties involved,” said Inspector Wendy Mehat, Community Support and Safety Officer. “Property owners have a responsibility to ensure they clearly understand our city’s rules and regulations and law enforcement has a responsibility to ensure there are consequences if these are not properly followed. Together, we can address these public safety and social issues head on and for the betterment of the wider community at large.”
Anyone who observes suspicious activity in their neighbourhood is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or contact Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
