The chief of the Surrey Police Service (SPS) says the number of extortion-related shootings this year has declined.
Norm Lipinski says that’s proof the department’s strategy to fight the crisis is working in the right direction.
Currently, the SPS is investigating 11 gunshot-related extortion incidents so far in 2026.
“Ten of those occurred in January and just one so far in February,” Lipinski said in a video posted on social media.
“It is encouraging to see this recent decline, but it’s critical that we keep our foot on the gas to quash this violence in our community.”
Lipinski said outreach in the community has helped officers investigating many of these crimes — noting that members of the public came forward with information after police released images of six individuals believed to be involved in extortion-related crimes.
He also pointed to a program that allows businesses and homeowners to register their surveillance cameras with the police enables officers to respond more quickly to crimes.
“Participating in this program allows our officers to know what camera recordings might be available in the area where a crime has taken place. This is a practical way for the public to work with police to combat crime.”
The police chief also said that he talked to Prime Minister David Eby and other federal leaders last week to discuss how the different levels of government can help the SPS and other municipal police forces fighting extortion threats.
On Friday, B.C.’s extortion task force announced that charges related to firearms against three men were laid.
Two of the suspects are in custody, while a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the third suspect.
The three men, all in their 20s, are accused of three shootings at the same home on 32nd Avenue near 168th Street in Surrey between November and December last year.
Across 2025, the SPS recorded 132 extortions, 49 of which were linked to shots fired and 88 involved victims.
The first extortion cases were reported in Surrey in late 2024.