A Surrey business group is joining the chorus of criticism over the city’s budget for next year.
The Surrey Board of Trade is highly critical of the budget narrowly passed Monday, particularly because of the lack of investment in public safety.
Dozens of speakers spoke passionately about the budget Monday, pleading with the city to abandon its expensive plan to switch to a municipal police force.
Surrey’s top RCMP officer issued a warning to the city Tuesday that the continued freeze on hiring will negatively affect how this city is policed.
Now, Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman says she is sending a letter to the province to fulfill it’s role under the Police Act and ensure this city is properly policed.
“This is important to Surrey’s city-building business organization because a continued lack of investments in police and fire services compromises businesses – and the expedient and efficient delivery of these services when needed,” Huberman said in a release.
She is sending a letter to B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, and his critic Mike Morris, formally asking the province to enforce proper policing strengths in the City of Surrey.
“The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General must ensure that an adequate and effective level of policing and law enforcement is maintained throughout British Columbia as per the Police Act of BC. The Policing and Security Branch has been tasked with maintaining policing in municipalities,” Huberman wrote. “Today, the Surrey Board of Trade will be issuing a letter to Minister Farnworth and the Policing and Security Branch to investigate whether Surrey has an adequate level of policing.”
Calls to the Ministry of Public Safety were not returned by time of posting.
