City of Surrey puts up $250,000 reward fund to combat extortion

Posted by ReyFort Media

Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey is providing the Surrey Police Service with a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions in the ongoing extortion cases targeting individuals and businesses within the city.  

This marks one of the largest police rewards in Canadian history. The amount reflects both the seriousness of this violence and the City’s commitment to doing everything possible to stop it.  

“Extortions are planned and deliberate, and while we are told transnational, make no mistake: This is a Canadian problem, affecting Canadian businesses and Canadian residents. I have heard from families how frightening it is to hear gunfire right outside their home while their children are sleeping. Everyone has the right to live and work without fear, and we need anyone with information to come forward before someone gets hurt or worse.” 

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, City Council approved a $250,000 grant to Surrey Police Service to make this reward possible. Surrey Police Service will handle the information received with care and sensitivity and determine the value of any reward. Payments will only be issued if information directly results in identification, prosecution and conviction. 

“The Surrey Extortion Reward Fund will provide police with another important tool to address this most urgent issue in our community. It is our hope that this will motivate individuals to call our new tip line to provide evidence to police that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible,” said Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. “I thank the City of Surrey for providing this funding, the Surrey Police Board for establishing the reward fund, and Surrey Police Service staff for their continuing hard work on these very complex and important investigations.”  

As of Sept. 15, the Surrey Police Service is actively investigating 44 extortion cases, including 27 that involved shootings, highlighting the serious threat these crimes pose to the community. 

The Surrey Extortion Reward Fund of $250,000 will offer individuals with key information the ability to collect a reward if they are prepared to work with police to secure charges and convictions of those responsible for these crimes. Individuals with information are asked to call the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149. This tip line will be monitored by Surrey Police investigators, seven days a week, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Punjabi-speaking officers will be available as required.  (City of surrey)