Surrey faces a surge in extortions targeting South Asian businesses. Police vow action, but community pressure and fear continue to grow.
Surge in Extortions Sparks Board Pressure
At the Surrey Police Board meeting on November 13, patience finally ran thin. Chief Constable Norm Lipinski faced tough questions as board directors demanded clarity on a rising wave of extortions targeting South Asian residents and businesses.
Lipinski confirmed a “significant” jump in extortions since June. “This has understandably caused fear and anxiety in the community,” he said. “We share these concerns, and that’s why addressing this is a top priority for the Surrey Police Service.”
Task Forces and Tactics
To tackle the crisis, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) has a 15-member extortion team and has partnered with a multi-agency unit that includes five different organizations. Lipinski emphasized the collaborative effort: “We have proactive patrol teams and a victim management team. We stay in touch with victims and work with them to reduce fear and protect their businesses.”
Daily coordination with Crown prosecutors ensures legal support, while the Canadian Border Services Agency has already removed three individuals from Canada. Seven people face charges, and 78 more are under investigation.
“Recently, we’ve made three arrests and are working with the Crown on the next steps,” Lipinski said.
Community Outreach in Action
SPS is also reaching out directly to businesses. Hundreds have received guidance on handling extortion attempts: preserve evidence, never pay, and report threats immediately. Lipinski stressed that proactive patrols have prevented multiple incidents.
Despite these efforts, board members pressed for more resources. Sarbjit Bains asked about the 150 additional officers requested by Mayor Brenda Locke from federal and provincial authorities. Lipinski responded cautiously: “Any police chief would welcome more resources. We are reaching maximum capacity, and I’ll continue seeking support from all levels of government.”
When Bains probed about immediate deployment, Lipinski admitted, “Nothing on it at the present time, correct.”
Rising Community Anxiety
Director Bilal Cheema expressed growing public fear. “People are terrified. When I hear the chief say the force is at capacity, I worry that criminals have no limits,” he said. Cheema highlighted the daily barrage of shootings and threats reported on social media, increasing anxiety.
He added, “The community expects constant updates. We need the chief, deputies, and board chair to communicate clearly every week that this is taken seriously and action is ongoing.”
Safety Plans and Challenges
Lipinski outlined safety measures for victims. Police assess risk after each threat and provide protection, either overt or covert. While some victims request 24/7 police presence, the current scale—72 active cases—makes full coverage difficult.
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” Lipinski said. “Our goal is to hold these criminals accountable through arrests and charges.”
When asked if the board could assist further, Lipinski noted that discussions around budget planning were ongoing but no immediate support was required.
Board Pushes for Federal Support
Directors described Surrey’s extortion problem as “horrible” and “an absolute horrid situation.” In response, the board voted to send a letter to the federal government backing Mayor Locke’s request for 150 additional police officers.
As the city faces this growing threat, both law enforcement and community leaders are under pressure to provide reassurance—and action—against extortion and intimidation.
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