It was a weekend of note in the Crescent Park region of South Surrey on Sunday night when shots were fired at a house near Crescent Road and 132 St. at 3:50 a.m. in the morning. Officers working with the Surrey Police Service's "Project Assurance" team were reportedly in the Crescent Beach area doing proactive patrols targeting extortion related shootings and they responded to reports of gunfire. The SPS located a suspect vehicle nearby and the occupants fled their Range Rover on foot. Not long after this, a ride-share vehicle was stopped a mile away near the corner of 128 St. and 40 Ave. with three male passengers who were taken into custody. In the meantime, the Surrey Fire Service was called to the scene to extinguish a small fire on a perimeter fence of the home that was targeted. The investigation is continuing to establish that the three men arrested were connected to the shooting and fire. While no weapons have been found, two vehicles have been seized for further crime scene analysis. As always, anyone with information including CCTV or dashcam video is asked to contact the SPS non-emergency number at 604-599-0502, quoting file number 26-10642 (SP).
(SPS official news release below)
It has been a busy week for the SPS as this was the second arrest of suspects in cases believed to be extortion related in Surrey. On Monday morning, Jan. 26, amazingly also at the same time of 3:50 a.m., SPS officers from Project Assurance were patrolling neighbourhoods and businesses in Newton that had been targeted by extortionists and shootings when they heard a gunshot near 84 Ave. and 129 Street. They raced to the area and pulled over a car with two young men who tried to evade them. During the arrest for dangerous driving, a loaded handgun was located inside the car and it was seized for further investigation. Two Indian nationals have since been charged, Harshdeep Singh, 20 years old, with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and one of occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present, while his passenger Hanspreet Singh, 21 years old, one count of occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present. Both men are being held in custody while the investigation continues and more charges are possible. It is worth noting that criminal matters take precedence over immigration issues so any court cases, convictions and sentences served must happen before the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) can remove these men from Canada.
(see news story below)
Back in September, 2025, Surrey Police Service (SPS) Chief Constable Norm Lipinski and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke announced $250,000 in City of Surrey funding to allow the SPS to establish a "Surrey Extortion Reward Fund" and "Surrey Extortion Tip Line." These additional tools are being used to help combat the extortions occurring in Surrey and the associated shootings, violence, threats and fear that accompany them. The Surrey Extortion Reward Fund will allow individuals with key information on these crimes to collect a reward if charges and convictions of those responsible are secured. Operating in conjunction with the Reward Fund, the Surrey Extortion Tip Line (236-485-5149) will be monitored by SPS police officers seven days a week between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Punjabi-speaking officers will be available if needed. This phone line will allow Surrey Police investigators to receive information and connect with witnesses who have evidence, leading to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of individuals involved in the extortion files. For those people who wish to remain anonymous, they can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to share their knowledge about criminals engaging in these extortions and shootings.
At the Monday night Council meeting last week on the same day the two Singh arrests were made, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke called on the Federal Government to declare a "National State of Emergency" to tackle the extortion crisis that is affecting communities across Canada. Mayor Locke’s motion reiterated her earlier call to appoint a Commissioner for Extortion Violence Against Canadians to oversee the implementation of key measures, including the following measures:
Immediate deployment of additional RCMP, federal organized crime units, and intelligence resources to Surrey.
Federal RCMP leadership of a joint federal-provincial-municipal task force with authority to act rapidly on extortion-related violence.
Expedited removal of non-citizens charged or convicted of extortion, firearms offences, or participation in extortion-related criminal activity.
Review of legislative gaps and recommendations to strengthen police capacity for arresting, charging and prosecuting offenders.
Quarterly public reporting on the severity of extortion-related activity and progress in addressing the crisis.
Other measures include expanding immediate detention and inadmissibility powers under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, ensuring coordinated financial investigations of extortion-related crimes, and allowing the public release of information that identifies individuals charged with or deported for extortion-related offences to increase public awareness and deterrence.
Mid-week, B.C. Premier David Eby announced he had received Federal support for B.C. police services to help deal with the ongoing extortion related violence plaguing Surrey. After a meeting with the Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, it was announced that Ottawa has agreed to commit 20 extra officers plus additional helicopter support to help police deal with the extortion threats here. In addition to this, it was announced that police leaders from B.C., Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario plus the heads of national police agencies will meet soon at the B.C. RCMP HQ in Surrey. This meeting is intended to improve information-sharing between police forces, ensure that necessary resources are in place and review the police response to the extortion threat to date. Eby had this to say in Ottawa after also meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, “What we’re seeing in Surrey is a terror attack in slow motion and you would never dream of giving refugee status to someone who participated in a terror attack, but that’s exactly what’s happening under our current system. That loophole has to be closed.” He also called for Bill C-14, The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act to be passed as quickly as possible to repeal bail for repeat and violent offenders plus increase penalties for serious crime.
That's the week in crime, policing and politics in Surrey. It has been nice to see the SPS and their increased neighbourhood patrols yielding results with five people being arrested. I used portions of multiple media releases from the SPS, City of Surrey and the Province of B.C. relating to extortion threats and gangland shootings in Surrey that were then condensed and edited to create this column. Unfortunately there is one important piece of information from the streets they may have missed. An Indo-Cdn friend informed me that the young men involved in these shootings are often here from India on student visas or temporary work permits. When these run out they usually do not want to go back home, often lack the funds to do so anyways and find themselves in dire financial straits with gangs offering money for performing crimes. His solution was that besides increasing policing, the CBSA should focus on removing people from Surrey who have overstayed their welcome. Of course, being Canada this won't be like ICE but instead it could be NICE (National Immigration Crackdown & Extraction).
Something tells me that with our current political leaders in B.C. and Ottawa, this solution will never even be considered.
Naturally yours,
Don Pitcairn
Local News
February 02, 2026
Three Men Arrested Following Early Morning Shots Fired
Surrey Police Service (SPS) have arrested three men and begun an investigation into an early morning shots fired incident in Surrey.
On February 1, 2026, at approximately 3:50 am, Surrey Police Service (SPS) members assigned to Project Assurance, working in collaboration with SPS’s Major Crime Section, were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
SPS officers, the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Service (LMD IPDS), and Delta Police Department officers all responded to assist. SPS officers in the area located a suspect vehicle driving nearby and the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. A short time later three suspects were taken into custody near 28 Avenue and 140 Street after getting into a ride share vehicle.
Surrey Fire Services (SFS) members were able to extinguish the small fire by a fence on the property. There was no reported damage to the house because of the fire. The residence, which was occupied at the time, was confirmed to be damaged by gun fire. There were no reported injuries.
SPS’s Major Crime Section has taken over the investigation. The three men are currently in custody and investigators are working to determine if they are connected to the shooting. No charges have yet been sworn at this early stage of the investigation and investigators will be working to gather and analyze physical and digital evidence. Two vehicles have also been seized by investigators. This incident is believed to be related to extortions. SPS has been engaged with its with law enforcement partners, including CBSA.
SPS is asking anyone who has information on this incident, including CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact SPS’s non-emergency number at 604-599-0502 and quote file 26-10642 (SP).
Project Assurance is an SPS initiative in which SPS officers pro actively patrol Surrey neighbourhoods and business areas targeted by extortions and extortion-related shootings.
In September 2025, the Surrey Extortion Reward Fund of $250,000.00 was established to offer individuals with key information on extortion-related crimes the ability to collect a reward if charges and convictions are secured against those responsible for those crimes. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca if you wish to remain anonymous.
Groundhog Day
Here in Canada our most famous groundhog is in Wiarton , Ontario. Did Wiarton Willie see his shadow this morning?
Wiarton Willie has predicted an early spring.
The prognosticating groundhog did not see his shadow and an early spring has been declared.
For an almost uniquely North American celebration, Groundhog Day has its roots in Medieval Europe and the celebration of Candlemas, a festival in which candles were lit at churches to commemorate Jesus’s presentation at the temple. Candlemas also have much in common with pre-existing Pagan observances in Pagan times, when farmers would carry torches around their fields before sowing time. Candlemas fall 40 days after Christmas and in between the winter solstice and spring equinoxes.
Legend has it that, on February 2nd, if the groundhog emerges from its burrow, sees its shadow and then returns, winter will last for another six weeks. If it doesn’t see its shadow, winter will be shorter.
Once again, Canada’s Western provinces produce no real groundhogs to be held to account for their predictions! Our next furry friend, who’s not a real groundhog, is Balzac Billy, a mascot from the town of Balzac, 24km north of Calgary. The origins of Balzac Billy can be traced to the 1970s, when Balzac’s then-mayor, Merle Osborne, befriended a Richardson Ground Squirrel.
In 2022, Canada got another stuffed prognosticator — Okanagan Okie was introduced as Canada’s newest weather prediction specialist in Vernon.
Okanagan Okie is the Allan Brooks Nature Centre’s mascot, a yellow-bellied marmot commonly found in the valley’s grasslands.
Allan Brooks Nature Centre holds a family fun event for all on Groundhog Day – guests can enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate, delicious donuts, a cozy seat by the bonfire, and the opportunity to meet others who are also eager to see the end of winter.
January 30, 2026
It's Getting Crowded
Darrell Jones #7
Earlier this week DARRELL JONES the popular face for SAVE ON FOODS and longtime Surrey (Ocean Park) resident announced he would be putting his name forth for the Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership Race.
Kerry Lynne Findlay #8
Last evening another Peninsula resident announced she would be seeking the role of the leader for the Conservative Party of BC.
KERRY LYNNE FINDLAY who served as the MP in Ottawa for our riding South Surrey/White Rock from 2019-2026 lost her seat to former White Rock city councillor ERNIE KLASSEN in the recent federal election when KLASSEN took the seat for the Liberal party.
Brent Chapman
Should FINDLAY be successful she would be able to car pool to Victoria with her husband BRENT CHAPMAN the
Construction is underway on a new display for White Rock’s 1925 antique Studebaker fire truck in front of the Fire Hall at 15315 Pacific Ave.
Restored by the Fire Fighters’ Union and donated to the City, the display will feature interpretive panels sharing the truck’s history and restoration. Completion is expected by late spring 2026.
Surrey Police Releasing Photos of Two Accused
SPS is releasing photos of the two men charged in the January 26, 2026, firearm-related investigation after determining that the disclosure is necessary to assist with the ongoing police investigation.
SPS hopes that the public release of images of Harshdeep Singh and Hanspreet Singh prompts additional witnesses, victims, or associates to come forward with relevant information regarding the activities of Harshdeep Singh and/or Hanspreet Singh on or before January 26, 2026.
Photos will be considered for release on a case-by-case basis and based on the legal necessity to seek assistance from the public with police investigations. The disclosure of these photos in this case is a consistent use disclosure under sections 33(2)(d) and 34 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act whereby police can disclose photos of arrested persons if the disclosure is necessary to further a police investigation into a current crime, or series of crimes, and to seek the public’s assistance for witnesses and victims who may have information.
In September 2025, the Surrey Extortion Reward Fund of $250,000.00 was established to offer individuals with key information the ability to collect a reward if charges and convictions of those responsible for these crimes are secured.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca if you wish to remain anonymous.
Monday January 27, 2026
Breakthrough? Two Men Arrested and Charged with Firearm Offence
Two men have been arrested and are now charged with Criminal Code offences following a Surrey Police Service (SPS) investigation into an alleged shots fired incident in the early morning hours of January 26, 2026.
On January 26, 2026, at approximately 3:50 am, Surrey Police Service (SPS) members assigned to Project Assurance, working in collaboration with SPS’s Major Crime Section, were in the area of 129 Street and 84 Avenue when they heard what they believed was a gun shot. SPS officers quickly located a suspect vehicle and stopped it, taking the driver and a passenger into custody. During the arrests a loaded handgun was discovered and seized. Project Assurance is an initiative in which SPS pro actively patrols neighbourhoods and business areas targeted by extortions and extortion-related shootings.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation and two men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences.
Harshdeep Singh, a 20-year-old male, has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and one count of occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present.
Hanspreet Singh, a 21-year-old male, has been charged with one count of occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Both Harshdeep Singh and Hanspreet Singh have been remanded in custody until January 30, 2026. They are both foreign nationals and SPS has engaged Canada Border Services Agency.
SPS is asking anyone who has information on this incident, including CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact SPS’s non-emergency number at 604-599-0502 and quote file 26-8529 (SP).
Darrell Jones #7
Kerry Lynne Findlay #8
Brent Chapman
