Bombshell hidden provincial report confirms SPS costs to skyrocket by $750M
A Provincial report, hidden from public view for a year, has confirmed Mayor Brenda Locke’s concerns that Surrey Police Service (SPS) costs will skyrocket over the coming years. The report, commissioned by the Province and developed by Deloitte, reveals new details that confirm the SPS will cost Surrey taxpayers a whopping $750 million more than the RCMP over just a 10-year period.
This stunning new estimate blows the City of Surrey’s previous estimates out of the water, as new details have emerged around SPS policing model and staffing levels, confirming concerns raised by Mayor Brenda Locke for years.
“This report confirms that the Province has been hiding titanic level costs from Surrey taxpayers,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “The Premier and Solicitor General said they had no idea where the City of Surrey was getting our cost estimates from, when they were sitting on a report that showed the true cost to be hundreds of millions more than we had even imagined.”
The report, which the City received as part of upcoming legal proceedings, has been filed with the court and is publicly available. The City of Surrey requested a copy of the report when its existence was first made public a year ago, but that request was denied by the Province.
As recently as November 2023, the Solicitor General told media that the report confirmed the Province’s cost estimates. However, submissions from the SPS clearly show plans for an anticipated staffing level of 958 officers shortly after becoming police of jurisdiction, and to move to a two-person vehicle deployment model. This alone would result in an estimated $45 million annual incremental cost over the RCMP, and does not include other transition costs previously estimated by the City.
“It is clear that the Province did not want this information to be made public,” added Mayor Locke. “I don’t know how to look at this other than a complete betrayal of trust. They have known that the cost of this transition would be hundreds of millions more than the City’s own estimates, and they hid that information from the public for a year. If it wasn’t for the fact that they were required to finally disclose the report as part of the City’s legal efforts, taxpayers would have found out when it was already too late.”
The City of Surrey had previously estimated that the incremental cost of transitioning from the RCMP to the SPS would be $464 million over a 10-year period, however, the City was clear its estimates did not include items like the two officer per car model or capital costs.
“The Province is making it up as they go, forcing the City into an unnecessary and expensive transition, and they don’t care that Surrey taxpayers will be left with a three quarters of a billion dollar bill over the next 10 years,” said Mayor Locke.
Our Surrey Eagles are well into the second round of the BCHL playoffs.
Last night with the best of seven series tied @ 2-2 the EAGLES came out flying. When the final whistle blew the local boys were victorious. The series now goes back to Victoria for game 6. The EAGLES lead the series 3-2, a win in Victoria and the semi finals are over. A loss by the Eagles means the final nail biter will be played at South Surrey arena Monday @ 8 p.m.
Tickets at the door.
Thursday April 25, 2026
White Rock Stabbings Press Conference
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.
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.
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.
Have you seen the wonderful documentary MARCH OF THE PENGUINS?
Even if you haven't check out Emperor penguin chicks jump off a 50-foot cliff in Antarctica
Joke Of The Day
A girl asks her boyfriend to come over for dinner
A girl asks her boyfriend to come over Friday night and have dinner. The girl tells her boyfriend that she would like to "do it" for the first time.
The boy is ecstatic but he has never done it before so he goes to the pharmacist to get some protection. The pharmacist helps the boy for over an hour and tells the boy everything there is to know about protection.
At the register, the pharmacist asks the boy whether he would like the 3-pack, 10-pack or family pack. Boy picks the family pack because he thinks he will be really busy since it is his first time.
The boy shows up at the girl's house and she takes her to the dinner table where her family is sitting. The boy quickly offers to say grace and bows his head.
One minute pass and the boy is still in deep prayer with his head down. This continues for 20 minutes and he shows no movement. Finally the girl leans over and whispers"I had no idea you were so religious"
The boy whispers back" I had no idea your father was a pharmacist!'
Thought For The Day
Community Events
White Rock Social Justice Film Society - Tonight
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
