Surrey shootings: RCMP announce five arrests

RCMP say they have arrested five people and seized 13 firearms in relation to a string of morethan 30 shootings which have plagued Surreyin recent months.

Speaking at a press conference called to quell growing fears about a conflict police say is linked to the drug war,Surrey mayor Linda Hepnerjoinedpolice leaders to promisean increase in resources to tackle the violence which has resulted in one death.

A bail hearing is set next week for two of the men charged with weapons offences in relation to what RCMP characterize as a low-level drug war.

Alex Blanarou and Robert Dennison are scheduled for a bail hearing onApril 13.

"We're going to make it very uncomfortable," said RCMP Asst. Commissioner Dan Malo."You're going to change your behaviour, or we're going to change it for you."

Malo announced an influx of investigators and analysts to target the problem, which he said involves a battle for control of thestreet-level drug market.

He said the situation is very different from the type of high-level gang fights the Lower Mainland has seen in recent years.He said the players in the latest conflict were young men whose friends and family are turning a blind eye to their activities.

Malosaid newresources would include the gang unit, monitor rooms, criminal and open source analysts, as well as community and educational support.

He said officers would also call on increased air support as well as the force's behavioural scientists to identify and deal with the people involved.

TheRCMP'sdog handling team have also been provided photographs of perpetrators and will spend their time focusing on those individuals.

Hepner said police would also have round-the-clock access to the city's network of traffic cameras, which have previously only been accessible during the city's working hours. Surrey also plans to add 75 new cameras, bringing the total to 400.

Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. BillFordysaid the situation angered him, but assured the community that police were making progress.

To that end, he announced charges against three individuals, including Blanarou and Dennison.

HesaidRCMPneedthe community to unite behind police to fight the problem of youth in the drug trade andannounced a forum to be heldnext Mondayto address the issue.

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Many of the shootings have taken place betweencars at major city intersections. Police believe warring dial-a-dope gangs, mostly young men between age 17 and 24, are responsible.

A recent string of four shootings in four days, and 32 targeted shootings since since the beginning of theyear, has put the city and its residents on edge.

Darlene Bowyer of the Surrey Association of Sustainable Communities says it's time all levels of government come together to find solutions.

"Thecommunityis tired of hearing that it's a targeted shooting and nobody's really at risk. Yes we are," said Bowyer. "This is our community. We have bullets flying in our streets. Good grief, anyone can get hit."