City staff listen to Surrey residents and say no to increase in monster homes

However, there is a catch, albeit one I think many Surrey-ites can live with.
In last nights council meeting, city council said no to the proposed increase requested by the Surrey Ratepayers Association, and told city planners to approach a neighbourhood by neighbourhood zoning approach. In this manner, anybody wishing to increase the home size in [...]

Newton neighbourhoods still rife with prostitutes,drugs and crime – despite city’s Newton Revitalization Plan

It has been  just over one year since I spent the afternoon taking Susana da Silva and her cameraman on a driving tour of Newton. 
One year.
In response to increasing frustration among home and business owners in the neighbourhood regarding the cities lack of action, I decided enough was enough and called the CBC to suggest they [...]

Is 5 years, two months (less 10 months credit for time served) justice enough for the victims in two shocking and violent assaults ?

That’s right.
 For  a variety of charges including  two counts of attempted murder ,1 count of  aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, Shazad SardarAli received  5 years and two months in jail -with credit for 10 months served. 
He also was given a lifetime ban on firearms/weapons possession, and must submit a DNA [...]

This is what’s wrong with our “Justice” system

Earlier this year, on March 13th, I blogged about a shooting that had occurred in broad daylight, in a residential cul-de-sac where children play freely.
Some men were arguing in front of one of the homes. The verbal disagreement became a physical fight and at that time another man puled out a gun and shot another [...]

Bits and Bites – Wednesday April 1st, 2009

And so it begins again…..and  this morning, I’m thanking whoever was watching over me last night on my run.
I suspect – but dearly hope I am wrong- that we have entered yet another round of violence in the ghetto.
Not more than 1/2 an hour after I returned home from a run on the very same street and [...]

Criminals facing trial applaud VANOC’s commandeer of the RCMP for 10 weeks during 2010

If you don’t follow David Berner’s  blog now, I suggest that you do. He writes and comments and talks about various important issues facing those of us in Lotusland, and often touches on items that would otherwise escape the scrutiny of the public.
Imagine my surprise when scrolling through his feed this morning, to see that [...]

BREAKING NEWS 9:40 pm March 3rd: RCMP investigate reports of shots fired in Newton – again.

The second period  of the Canucks game had just started  at about 8pm, as the sound of shots rang loud and clear as if outside my door. I froze in disbelief and shivered as I listened in shock.
4 shots in quick succession, followed by perhaps another 4, slower and more deliberate .
Making sure someone was [...]

Stabbing in Newton sends one to hospital- right in front of me.

One young man is in hospital with what are described as non- life threatening injuries, and police are searching for  a single male suspect who fled the scene on foot.
This, after I found myself smack dab in the middle of a police incident at the Newton Wave pool and Recreational Centre this evening.
As I made my way through the crowd, two officers halted one male youth in front of [...]

324 weapons seized in 2008 – in good ole’ Surrey

You can do the math here- there is nearly one weapons seizure every day in Surrey, and rest assured – this is the mere tip of the proverbial iceberg.
The Surrey RCMP have  just created a Gun Enforcement Team with 17 officers that will be targeting the people who have more than one gun possession charge [...]

Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.

 
“While there are some concerns about safety after dark in the city as a whole, most people feel quite safe in their own neighbourhoods. “
- Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts responding to a 2007 Crime Survey in which 71% of respondents said they don’t feel safe at night.  Diane Watts believes it’s a case of perception [...]