Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke declared public safety as her top priority during her state of the city address on Thursday afternoon at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. This annual speech marked her final one before the upcoming fall municipal election.
Mayor Locke's Public Safety Commitment
Locke emphasized the urgency of addressing crime, stating, "I know there are families and businesses who have felt afraid, then angry and very frustrated. They deserve action, not excuses, not jurisdictional finger-pointing. They need action because extortion and organized crimes do not stop at municipal boundaries."
Despite criticism from challenger Doug McCallum, who questioned her policing record just before the event, Locke focused on her achievements and future plans. She announced a goal to hire 560 staff in policing, fire, bylaw, and related areas over the next five years if re-elected in October. However, she did not provide a detailed breakdown of these hires.
New Public Safety Training Facility
Locke also revealed plans for a new public safety training campus spanning six hectares in the Anniedale-Tynehead area. This facility will allow police, firefighters, and emergency personnel to train together. "It means more visible presence in neighbourhoods, more ability to respond to real problems that face our city," she said.
In a subtle jab at McCallum's campaign promise of a dedicated helicopter for Surrey police, Locke noted, "I know some people like to talk about helicopters. The Surrey Police Service already has access to a helicopter when it is needed. The future of public safety is not about chasing yesterday's technology. It's about building the next generation of tools for a fast-growing city like Surrey."
Expansion of Facilities and Technology
The mayor announced expansions of police, fire, and bylaw facilities in City Centre, South Surrey, and Cloverdale. Additionally, she confirmed the acquisition of AI drones for police use, enhancing surveillance and response capabilities.
When questioned by media about criticism regarding insufficient funding for the Surrey Police Service, Locke defended her new plan. "There is no question that there is a public safety challenge in this city right now, but also right across this region and certainly in this country," she said. "There's going to be lots of criticism thrown all over the place because people are actively in an election, and have been, some of them, for over a year. But all I can say is, Surrey is moving forward."
The address underscored Locke's focus on public safety as a cornerstone of her re-election campaign, positioning her against opponents who advocate for different approaches.
