Locals outline biggest issues in Surrey ahead of mayor’s State of the City Address

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – We are about to find out what’s important in Surrey — at least according to the mayor.

Doug McCallum is set to give his State of the City Address this morning, laying out social and economic priorities for the next year.

In one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, the issues are far and wide. If you go to one neighbourhood, you’re likely to get an earful about crowded schools. The woes in other areas can range from congestion to the opioid crisis.

In central Surrey, locals tell NEWS 1130 homelessness is among the top concerns.

“They should do something to try and get these guys into some kind of a shelter or something,” one man says. “They’ve got to open something up.”

So far most tell me transit and opioids, homelessness and poverty are main issues. Of course I’m I Whalley so issues will vary from more residential areas, but still, a lot of people wanting to see more buses more frequently.

— Ash Kelly (@AshDKelly) May 7, 2019

In Whalley, the every day issues are serious. Along with homelessness, opioid addiction, crime and poverty have also been flagged by people living in the community as things they hope are on the mayor’s to-do list.

McCallum’s long-talked about promises to replace the RCMP are getting mixed reviews from those in the area.

“I honestly prefer the RCMP, from what I’ve noticed, they’re a lot nicer,” one person who lives in Surrey says.

Another believes a switch is positive, saying “I think it’s a good move. It’s going to be policed by the people of Surrey.”

Meantime, a unifying issue that seems to transcend even talks of replacing the RCMP with a municipal force is transportation.

Municipal police force cruiser unveiled despite delays in approval

Despite the lack of approval from the provincial government, Mayor McCallum has officially unveiled a municipal police force cruiser ahead of his State of the City Address.

The cruiser is the first physical development in the highly contested police transition. The city’s former mayor, Dianne Watts, has said the unveiling was a questionable decision since plans to ditch the RCMP haven’t been approved by the province.

Either way and if the past is any indicator, @mccallum4mayor will be talking about his plans for a municipal police force. This is also evidenced by the appearance of this Surrep PD cruiser…which is, let’s say “ahead of its time” pic.twitter.com/7Ymz0mjNUN

— Ash Kelly (@AshDKelly) May 7, 2019

Council and the public have yet to see a report with details on a potential transition to a municipal police force, which includes how much it could cost.

The report breaks down the cost, the number of police officers that would be in the force, and a timeline for the transition. McCallum has said those details will brought up some time in May.

Mayor McCallum is expected to speak at 8:30 a.m.