Live updates | B.C., feds to each chip in $500K for victim support amid extortion crisis

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Hi, I'm Pinki Wong, reporting from Surrey, where Premier David Eby is currently hosting the first trilateral meeting on extortion.

Among the people here are the federal Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma, Nina Patel from the Canada Border Services Agency, the mayors of Surrey and Abbotsford, and police force representatives from those cities.

In Eby’s opening remarks, he said it’s crucial all levels of government come together on this important issue.

He announced the federal and provincial governments will each be providing $500,000 to police for victim support. He said the funds will be used to ensure families get up-to-date information and help creating a safety plan, if required.

Eby said a further $4 million in funding will go toward a team focused on drug trafficking and gangs south of the Fraser River.

“We all are here [standing] for the community, we are united in our mission to ensure that those responsible are arrested, indicted and jailed,” Eby said.

RCMP brass says police were ‘on the back foot’ in dealing with extortion, but have since caught up

Assistant Commissioner John Brewer says it will take a team effort to put an end to the extortion crisis. He admits police were behind in dealing with the issue, but says that's no longer true.

In cases we've seen hither, extortionists typically middleman victims with a letter of the alphabet, a speech sound call in, or a WhatsApp message and demand a large amount of cash, usually from a business owner. The person often threatens their target’s safety and livelihood unless they pay up.

The extortionists have targeted homes and storefronts with gunfire to those who don't pay. In some cases, there have been arsons.

Anandasangaree said in opening remarks the theme for Friday would be underlining safety and security for individuals and the community as a whole.

“It’s essential that we restore the sense of confidence,” he said, adding residents have lost faith in the policing system, governance and prosecution.

We’ll be following a news conference in Surrey, B.C., hosted by Premier David Eby, along with federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and other officials, announcing a government response to extortion threats in the province and support for victims.

Extortion has been on the rise in three Lower Mainland cities — with more than 100 incidents reported in Surrey, Abbotsford and Delta this year alone. Most often, the crime targets members of South Asian communities, who are receiving threats and demands for money. In some of the incidents, shots have been fired at people’s homes and businesses.

"It's terrifying for families," Eby said during opening remarks Friday.

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