Thursday June 6, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 46)
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Knights to remember: Friday was an evening of precision and skill, as cadets with the 907 Black Knights demonstrated the fruits of their training efforts. › see page 27
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
First-quarter stats also indicate jump in South Surrey car thefts
Surrey murders multiply, but violent crime down overall: RCMP Kevin Diakiw Black Press
Surrey logged more than twice as many murders in the first three months of 2013 than in the same period last year. It’s a trend the city’s RCMP attribute to a rash of gang violence, which prompted police to initiate several measures to con-
front gangsters where they work and play. Mounties say they are now targeting gangs and their associates by hitting areas where they are known to congregate. “Whether it’s a bar, a gym, whether it’s a park, this has led to intelligence gathering, drug seizures, as well as improved information sharing with other law enforcement
agencies,” said Cpl. Bert Paquet. “We are aware of the numbers and have taken a renewed strategy to address the concerns that not only we have, but the community as well.” The increase in homicides was most prominent in Whalley (from one to five) and in Newton (from two to five) – the latter region including the four bodies found this year
along a remote area of Colebrook Road. Citywide, homicides went from five in the first three months of 2012 to 11 this year. Paquet notes that the first-quarter statistics also indicate violent crime overall in Surrey dropped by 14 per cent so far this year. Some of that is a result of decreases in abductions › see page 4
Assessment advised
Health officer targets coal Jeff Nagel Black Press
Jeff Nagel photo
South Surrey resident Steve Faraher-Amidon addresses Port Metro Vancouver’s board at its annual general meeting Tuesday in downtown Vancouver.
No public hearings, vows Port Metro Jeff Nagel Black Press
Port Metro Vancouver CEO Robin Silvester stood firm this week against calls from coalexport opponents for public hearings into a planned new export terminal in Surrey. Critics of the proposal by Fraser Surrey Docks spoke Tuesday at the port authority’s annual general meeting in Vancouver, most stressing concerns over climate change if more coal from the U.S. is exported through Metro Vancouver and burned in Asia. Silvester said there will be no public hearing
because there’s no legislative trigger for one, as Fraser Surrey Docks is an existing facility and coal has been exported through the region “for decades” without difficulty. The proposed terminal at Fraser Surrey Docks would export an additional four million tonnes of coal per year, an increase of less than 10 per cent in the port’s overall coal-handling capacity. Critics say the port should have held formal public hearings on the proposed terminal, rather than let Fraser Surrey Docks lead open houses. Metro Vancouver’s board has agreed to hold a public meeting on the issue June 14.
South Surrey resident and Burns Bog Conservation Society member Steve Faraher-Amidon told the AGM he’s concerned about the port’s lack of transparency on the project and suggested full public hearings would bolster the credibility of the port’s eventual decision. Vancouver’s Sam Harrison asked if the port could conclude it has broad public support if it green-lights the Surrey terminal based on the reaction to date. Port officials said it is hard to accurately gauge the public mood. › see page 4
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Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer says he’s “concerned” about potential health impacts from a proposed new coal-export terminal in Surrey. In a statement issued last week, Dr. Paul Van Buynder recommended a comprehensive health-impact assessment be undertaken for the project examining the risks from the potential inhalation of coal dust as well as other impacts. Dr. Paul Van He said the Buynder assessment should also examine potential contamination of air and land – including the foodproduction impacts and possible shellfish contamination – as well as likely impacts from excessive noise and whether increased rail traffic will reduce access to emergency care for some residents. › see page 4