The provincial government is expected to make an announcement Wednesday afternoon about plans to address extortion crimes affecting the South Asian community in Surrey and other B.C. cities.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger, along with Mounties and members of Crime Stoppers BC, will appear at a media event outside a Surrey RCMP office around 1 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!Krieger stepped into the role in July, shortly after the previous public safety minister, Garry Begg, launched a $100,000 campaign to share information about recognizing and reporting extortion threats, which the government says will help individuals, business owners, and families stay safe and informed.
On Monday, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke announced a fund available to residents who provide information about extortion crimes leading to convictions.
Up to $250,000 is available to be split among informants, upon assessment of the information shared.
The Surrey Police Service is currently investigating 44 extortion files, including 27 shooting incidents.
Locke and other municipal leaders have called on the provincial and federal governments to do more to address the crimes.
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