SURREY, B.C. — The mayor of a Vancouver-area city where police have logged 31 shootings this year has approved 24-hour police access to more than 400 closed-circuit cameras in an effort to stop the relentless violence.
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner says the shootings have damaged the reputation of the city and she promises those involved will be caught.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Dan Mallow says they've learned that those responsible are "kids" in a low-level dispute over drugs that has killed one and injured several others.
He adds that the problem isn't just in Surrey, but in Metro Vancouver as well, and more resources from specialized units are being made available to stop the shootings.
Public Safety Minister Mike Morris told the same news conference that some of the shootings have been around elementary schools and in residential areas, which has led to greater police focus on the crimes.
RCMP also announced that two men they believe have been involved in some of the gun violence have been arrested and charged with drug and firearms offences.
