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Be wary outside in the ‘City of Parks’

A young close family friend of mine was mugged for his cellphone in Hawthorne Park recently.

A young close family friend of mine was mugged for his cellphone in Hawthorne Park recently.  In a city that boasts “City of Parks,” this young 13-year-old made the mistake of walking home by himself through the park on a beautiful sunny afternoon. He was sprayed with bear mace for nothing more than his cellphone.

I personally work in downtown Vancouver and here we have Vancouver police officers in cars, bikes, motorcycles and on foot patrolling city streets and parks. We even have downtown ambassadors, a group created by the city to patrol the downtown core on bicycles and on foot.

Surrey, however, has the RCMP, who I have the upmost respect and admiration for, busy with homicides and other violent crimes. The problem lies not with them but those elected to protect and serve the people of Surrey.  They have the means and the money to make a difference.

This is not the first case of it’s kind and certainly not the last. The archives of The Surrey Leader will attest to that fact. If you’re a parent like me who cares for the safety of our children, take action. Write to your MLA, to your mayor, to The Leader.

Cowards such as those who accosted my young friend do not like an audience. Walk your dog through a park, ride your bike through a park and keep watch over the children of Surrey. They need your help.

 

Denis Roy