l-r Mayor MEGAN KNIGHT /White Rock Staff Sergent ROB DIXON/IHIT Media Relations Timothy Pierotti/White Rock CAO GUILLERMO FERRERO
White Rock mayor MEGAN KNIGHT was joined yesterday by senior staff, members of her council as well as reps from White Rock RCMP and IHIT to speak directly to the community as well as the assembled media.
The two recent unprovoked stabbings in White Rock has put the community on high alert. White Rock RCMP staff sergeant ROB DIXON assured the community the RCMP will be stepping up waterfront patrols in order to put an end to these random attacks.
TIMOTHY PIEROTTI of IHIT (Integrated Homicide Investigation Team) appealed to anyone in the are of Totem Park either on foot or driving on Marine Drive around 9 p.m. last evening (Tuesday) to contact the White Rock RCMP. It is possible their on-board camera (especially Tesla owners) may have footage that can be of assistance in bringing the individual to justice.
ON-GOING INVESTIGATION
As the investigation is on-going, the RCMP have asked that if you or any of your staff have any security footage, photos or dashcam footage from Sunday or Tuesday night to please pass it along to IHIT immediately at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Another stabbing occurred last night on the White Rock waterfront.
The attack and stabbing occurred east of the White Rock pier on the promenade walkway.. The attack on a male was fatal. The victim has been identified as KULWINDER SOHI.
The assailant remains at large.
White Rock RCMP Update 10:30 a.m.
White Rock RCMP is advising the public of a homicide that occurred Tuesday evening and is requesting anyone who may have witnessed the incident or was taking photos/videos in the area to contact police.
On April 23, 2024, at 9:26 p.m., White Rock RCMP received a report of a man suffering from apparent stab wounds in the 15400-block of Marine Drive. Despite lifesaving measures provided by first responders on scene the person did not survive.
Police arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call and the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service also responded, however the suspect was not located.
The suspect is described as a black male, 5’11”, wearing a hat and a grey hoodie with the hood up over the hat. He was last seeing fleeing Northbound from the promenade towards Marine Drive.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been called and will be working in partnership with White Rock RCMP. The area surrounding the scene will be cordoned off for an undetermined amount of time while police work to gather evidence.
Given the apparent similarities between this incident and the one which occurred on Sunday evening, police are investigating to determine whether or not there is a conclusive link between the two events.
“Undoubtedly these violent incidents have raised concerns surrounding safety in our community and we want to assure the public that their safety is our top priority,” says White Rock RCMP Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Rob Dixon. “Patrols in the area have been increased and our officers will be working with IHIT to identify the suspect.”
Any further information will be provided by IHIT.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT infoline at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
A night out at a popular viewpoint in White Rock turned into a nightmare for a couple who just arrived in Canada, after one of them was stabbed in a random attack Sunday.
Manpreet Kaur and her husband Jadinder Singh say it was supposed to be a relaxing night out on the White Rock Pier, two months after they had moved to the country.
“We were just sitting on the bench, talking, eating, spending quality time and feeling so relaxed,” said Kaur, who notes things quickly took a turn.
She says suddenly, Singh put his hand to his neck. He had been stabbed by a stranger, who then proceeded to walk away from the attack.
“Right after the bleeding started, we saw the knife in [the suspect’s] hand, and we realized that he cut his neck with the knife,” Kaur told OMNI News Tuesday.
City of White Rock selected for Housing Targets Assessment from the Province of British Columbia
The Province announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the City of White Rock will form part of the next cohort of municipalities selected for the development of housing targets, as part of the Province’s framework for increasing the number of housing units in British Columbia. Municipalities are selected based on the availability of the housing supply and on location.
The Housing Supply Act and Housing Supply Regulation, initiated by the Province in 2023, gives the Province the authority to establish housing targets, and requires municipalities to work to meet these targets over a five-year period.
“We look forward to working with the Province to find opportunities for housing within White Rock, while recognizing our local context and sharing with the Province our community’s housing concerns and expectations. Affordable Housing is a priority for Council, and we hope to work with the Province to find solutions to address our local housing need, in a manner that is appropriate for White Rock” said White Rock Mayor Megan Knight.
City staff will work closely with Provincial staff in the coming weeks in the development of these targets. Meanwhile, the City is continuing to work to implement new zoning regulations in accordance with Provincial legislation (Bill 44) by the mandatory June 30, 2024 deadline.
Our SURREY EAGLES of the BCHL split the first two games with the Victoria Cougars on their home ice. The playoffs then moved to Victoria to continue the best of 7 series.
Monday Victoria defeated Surrey 5-3.
Last night in game 4 Surrey bounced back with a 3-0 shutout.
The playoffs continue with game 5 Thursday at the South Surrey arena- 7:15. Game 6 is back in Victoria and if a game 7 is needed it will be played here @ South Surrey arena Monday 2 8 p.m.
Tickets at the door.
Tuesday April 23, 2024
Circle Your Calendar
This afternoon MIKE FARNWORTH Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in British Columbia called a press conference in Vancouver for an announcement regarding the future of policing in Surrey.
The minister was joined for the announcement by Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski and RCMP assistant commissioner Dwayne McDonald, who heads the RCMP in B.C.
FARNWORTH issued a date for hand over of policing in Surrey from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service on November 29 of this year. FARNWORTH called the announcement a "milestone in the policing of Surrey." The back and forth on which police force will carry out policing in the city of Surrey has now dragged on for 18 months.
There was no mention by FARNWORTH of the pending court case filed by the city of Surrey which will be heard in BC Supreme Court next Monday.
Statement from Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke
Aside from setting an aspirational date, nothing else has changed. Minister Farnworth’s “announcement” today is simply another desperate attempt by the province to demonstrate some kind of progress on this issue, mere days before the matter is heard in court.
Everything Minister Farnworth stated today confirms why the City of Surrey has consistently and repeatedly chosen to retain the RCMP. The reality is that despite the claims of transition progress over the last five years, substantial plans for this transition have never been completed. Minister Farnworth’s comments today raise more questions and doubts about the province’s ability to responsibly navigate this matter in the best interests of public safety and the people of Surrey.
The Solicitor General has set many dates and deadlines to push through the police transition in Surrey. Today, he has set a date when the police of jurisdiction will be transferred. The original transition concept from 2019, which Minister Farnworth approved, has consistently missed its own targets and is three years behind schedule. Now he is anxious to switch the police of jurisdiction saying that SPS will have the complement of officers needed by the end of November. Like many of his announcements, there are sparse details on how this “milestone” will be completed.
The reality is that despite several public gestures of transition progress over the last five years, substantial plans for this transition have never been completed. There was no clear path forward then, and there remains no clear path forward now.
Mayor Brenda Locke
City of Surrey
Monday April 22, 2024
Police seeking witnesses to stabbing
 White Rock RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance with information that could assist with identifying the suspect in a stabbing that occurred near the White Rock Pier Sunday evening.
On April 21, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m., White Rock RCMP received a report that someone had been stabbed near the White Rock Pier. Upon attendance police located the 28-year-old victim and provided first aid until paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to hospital by Emergency Health Services with non-life-threatening injuries.
White Rock RCMP is actively exploring all avenues of investigation to gather necessary evidence to identify, locate and arrest the suspect. They have received additional support from Surrey RCMP, Integrated Police Dog Service and the Integrated Forensic Identification Section.
The investigation is in the early stages and the motive is undetermined. Based on initial information, police do not believe that parties were known to each other or that there was any confrontation prior to the incident.
The suspect is described as a black male, wearing a ball cap and a grey hoodie.
There were many people in the area and we are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or was taking photos/ videos in the area to contact police, says Staff Sergeant Rob Dixon Public safety is a priority so we are asking the public to assist us in our investigation to identify the suspect to prevent further incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to contact White Rock RCMP at 778-545-4800.
Monday April 22, 2024
Another One Bites The Dust
White Rock waterfront restaurants for the most part change hands, close and or open with great regularity. The uptown dining scene seemed to be more stable, until now.
BIN 101 will soon shutter its doors of the popular dining establishment on Johnston road in White Rock.
Posted on Social Media:
With over a decade of cherished memories, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Bin 101. Our final day of regular service will be on Friday, April 26th.
If you would like to dine with us before we close, please secure your reservation online at www.bin101.ca.
To our patrons who have become family, thank you for being the most important part of our Bin 101 journey. We are immensely grateful for the countless friendships and connections we have formed over the past 10 years. To all who have supported us and welcomed us into your lives - you have made this journey truly meaningful and we simply cannot thank you enough.
This is an incredibly bittersweet end to an amazing chapter, though we know the relationships we have built at Bin 101 will continue on. We can't wait to see familiar faces and reminisce about the great memories we've had here over the next two weeks.
Samantha & the Bin 101 family
Sunday April 21, 2024
Three Strikes...And We're Gone
SEA GODS paddle board shop co-owner MANDY JOHNSTON has had enough with street crime in White Rock.
JOHNSTON recently told the news media after the third break in, it was time to move out of White Rock.
Life Imitates Art
Local author SAM WIEBE won;t be making any friends at city hall or the police station with his new novel OCEAN DRIVE. The book based in Washington (for the American market) is based on the premise a bid for a casino in town draws a criminal element.
“It’s not the place people think it is,” said Wiebe about White Rock recently. “(That shooting) really underscored that. The people who live there have it seen it change. And it has gotten more violent.”
Wiebe, who calls New Westminster home, spent a good chunk of his teen years in the mid-1990s to early 2000s in White Rock and says he was aware of an underlying crime vibe then.
Did you know how Library Service began in the Fraser Valley?
The Fraser Valley Regional Library began service to rural populations from Ladner to Hope in 1930. Consisting of a consortium of municipalities who could not afford libraries of their own, service began with a Book Van which displayed books along outside shelves travelling throughout the valley stopping at grocery stores, gas stations and schools. The Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded a grant of $100,000 to establish this project for five years.
Hired to manage this project was Dr. Helen Gordon Stewart who met this challenge with dedication, hard work and the enormous energy needed to organize an area of 2,600 square kilometres and 24 governing bodies. The task at hand was to select books, hire staff and purchase a truck suitable for use as a book van. In 1934, FVRL became a tax supported regional public library system, the first of its kind in North America.
Photo: Debut of Fraser Valley Regional Library Book Van at Chilliwack Cherry Festival, July 1930. Source: Fraser Valley Regional Library.
Courtesy Surrey Historical Society
TNT The Naked Truth
Don Pitcairn
Make Every Day Earth Day
Welcome to Earth Day! In case you were not aware Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd. With it falling on a Monday this year I thought it would be appropriate for this TNT to delve into the day dedicated to preserving our beautiful blue and green planet. Earth Day was first observed in 1970, making 2024 its 54th anniversary.
THE WHEELHOUSE THEATRE IS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AT THE CORNER OF KENT AND NORTH BLUFF (16TH AVE.) IN WHITE ROCK. HISTORY IN THE MAKING! SOME SEATS LEFT !!
FOR THE FIRST TIME A PRIDE SOCIETY AND A CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE ARE JOINTLY HOSTING A TOWNHALL DISCUSSION TO ADDRESS LOVE WITHIN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
As part of the agreement to resolve our human rights complaint, we agreed to host an open dialogue between the Catholic Church and the White Rock Pride Society. Please join us in the first joint forum and be part of our journey.
The event is free, but due to space and the interest, please register for this historic collaborative event.
White Rock Social Justice Film Society - Friday Night
A conservative Indo-Canadian family in small-town British Columbia must come to terms with a devastating secret: three sisters were sexually abused by an older relative beginning in their childhood years. After remaining silent for nearly two and a half decades, the sisters finally decide to come forward€”not only to protect other young relatives, but to set an example for their daughters as well. Warning: This film deals with mature subject matter and might trigger traumatic memories. Viewer discretion is advised.
Date: Friday April 26th, 2024 Location: Turnbull Gallery,
South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre, 14601 20th Ave, South Surrey Time: Doors open at 6:00pm, Film starts at 6:30pm
