Tensions are boiling over south of the Fraser River after a controversial 48 hours in which a high-ranking RCMP officer was forced to publicly apologize for not declaring the rising number of extortions a ‘crisis.’

On Tuesday afternoon, the BC Extortion Task Force held a news conference about the ongoing situation. Despite being pressed, Assistant Commissioner John Brewer refused to characterize the situation as a ‘crisis.’

That didn’t sit well with Premier David Eby, among others.

Commenting Wednesday, Eby didn’t hold back.

“I think Mr. Brewer has the opportunity to clarify that he feels a sense of urgency, I would urge him to do so. If he doesn’t feel a sense of urgency, then we do need someone else to do this. This is an urgent and serious situation for the people of Surrey, for the people south of the Fraser and the head of the task force needs to reflect that urgency in the work. Frankly, until his comments [Tuesday], I thought Mr. Brewer had demonstrated that sense of urgency and had been doing really constructive work reigning this in. It’s possible in this world to misspeak. I’m certainly well aware of that — I’m human too. The comments though, really do cut at public confidence… and he needs to either clarify, and if he doesn’t feel the urgency, then he needs to step aside,” he said.

David Eby (CityNews Image)

Brewer did issue a public statement in which he apologized, but still didn’t use the word ‘crisis’ to describe the wave of extortion.

“I want to apologize for challenging the term ‘crisis’ [Tuesday], as it has become the focus and called into question the RCMP’s commitment to addressing extortions in B.C. That was not my intention. The opportunity to provide an update and reassure the public has instead impacted public confidence. The task force’s commitment to addressing the ongoing threats and violence has not wavered. Our efforts have never been limited because of a term. Extortions remain one of our highest priorities. The BC Extortion Task Force is focused on advancing investigations, holding those responsible accountable, as well as sharing information, intelligence, tactics and strategies that can also be used to suppress threats and violence in the communities.”

Surrey City Coun. Mandeep Nagra is among those who are offended by Brewer’s refusal to use the word.

Nagra feels that if the extortions did not predominantly involve South Asians, police would take it seriously.

“I’m very disappointed with the comments from Mr. John Brewer. Maybe this is why he said what he said. Maybe he thinks this isn’t a Canadian problem, this is an Indo-Canadian problem, maybe he does not consider the City of Surrey… or an Indo-Canadian community as part of the Canadian community,” said Nagra.

Mandeep Nagra (CityNews Image)

“It’s definitely a crisis in Surrey. People are in pain. People are suffering.”

He adds with each new case, the community remains on edge.

“It’s definitely a crisis in Surrey. People are in pain. People are suffering. People are even thinking about leaving the country, going to different countries, moving their families away from Surrey. And the people of Surrey are very angry as well by his comments.”

Nagra says moving forward, he wants police to show they care.

“All the law enforcement agencies need to declare this a crisis in Surrey and start acting on it. This is my humble request to all the agencies. Make this a priority.”

He thinks every agency handling extortion, including the Surrey Police Service (SPS) should be given whatever resources it needs to stop the wave of crime.

So far this year, businesses and residents in Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford have reported dozens of extortions.

As of Jan. 19, SPS data shows there have been 34 reported extortions, 21 victims (16 repeat victims), and seven extortion-related shots fired incidents.