Dear Editor,
Like most folks I have been watching Surrey’s transition from RCMP to a municipal police department.
It has been like watching a car crash in slow motion.
Many of the Surrey mayor’s supporters have abandoned him, lawn signs have appeared pleading with the mayor to keep the RCMP.
The transition budget has jumped from $49 million to $64 million.
That does not include the new storage and training facility that will be needed.
That’s okay because this year the taxes in Surrey are increasing 2.9 per cent with a $200 per household levy.
My friends in Surrey have complained that other community programs have seen budget cuts.
As far as accountability we have seen Police Board members with “interesting” backgrounds appointed and they have already had one board member resign.
It seems like only five years ago there was strong support from certain Richmond councillors to start a Richmond Police Force.
With this upcoming byelection in Richmond, we may see election results that will bring the idea back to council chambers and that could put Richmond hand in hand with Surrey and all their current financial issues.
Scott Stewart
RICHMOND
