Former anti-gang unit member to lead B.C. community extortion committee

B.C. Premier David Eby has announced the chair of a new community advisory committee that was created to work with B.C.’s Extortion Task Force.

Paul Dadwal, a former member of a high-profile policing unit in charge of dealing with organized crime in the province, will lead the committee.

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“He has years of senior police experience, including service with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia,” Eby said.

“He knows how to combat crime, as well as how to connect with a community. He will lead efforts to ensure we are exploring all ideas — related to policing, community, and communication — and share them with police to ensure we fight this crime with everything we’ve got.”

On Tuesday, Eby announced several changes to address the ongoing extortion crisis, calling it a “slow-motion terror attack.” He met with business leaders and said the new advisory group will work with police to ensure they understand how extortion threats south of the Fraser River are affecting the community.

“We face a crisis caused by criminals demanding money from businesses and shooting up homes,” he said in a statement Wednesday. “Perhaps you are a victim, or maybe you know someone who is, or maybe you’ve heard gunshots in your neighbourhood. As a dad to three children, I know that every family needs security at home. It’s fundamental.”

“Concerns raised by those who have received threats must be addressed urgently. Information offered by community members must be received and incorporated into investigations immediately.”

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger said, “To further support ongoing actions to target extortion, the province has successfully lobbied the federal government for more police officers, increased RCMP helicopter support, and a national meeting of provincial police leaders from communities across Canada impacted by extortion will take place in the coming weeks.

“We will continue to lobby Ottawa for additional enforcement supports and changes to criminal and immigration laws to close loopholes in Canada Border Service Agency’s removal system, and for transparency in identifying people who have been removed from Canada.”

The appointment should be music to the ears of Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, who says this community advisory group needs to address the concerns of businesspeople and residents who have been targeted or even those who feel nervous.

Surrey Police Service Chief Norm Lipinski welcomes the moves and adds that success and progress must be defined by the community itself, not solely by police.

— With a file from Dean Recksiedler