Surrey MLAs Say Government Must Act On Surrey Community Court Promises

A community court would be a centralpillar of a proposed Surrey Accord,which would bring all levels of governmenttogether to tackle the challenges ofcrime, mental health and addictions, andhomelessness.“Judge Thomas Gove, who presides overthe Vancouver community court, andformer Attorney General Wally Oppalare on the record stating that theVancouver community court has beensuccessful,” said Hammell. “No moreexcuses—it’s time for this government tostep up and help make Surrey a safer,healthier community.”A communitycourt would provide efficient access tothe justice system, and a problem-solvingapproach to criminal behavior.Community courts work to increasecommunity safety by looking at underlyingcauses of criminal behavior and providingfast, informed and coordinatedresponses.“As early as 2006 the Liberals were committingto expand the community courtapproach to Surrey, a commitment theyreiterated during the 2009 election,” saidRalston. “This is simply mismanagementand yet more confirmation that Liberalcommitments aren’t worth the hot airexpended to make them.Bains, Hammell and Ralston are hostinga public discussion about the future ofSurrey at the Surrey Arts Centre StudioTheatre on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. Admission isfree, and participants are asked to registerin advance for the event at www.surreyaccord.ca.