British Columbia·VideoWade Deisman, a criminologist at the University of the Fraser Valley, says many issues can be solved by citizens stepping up and sharing information.Criminologist says the community plays a role in combating extortion attemptsCBC News · Posted: Nov 07, 2025 6:38 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 1 minuteThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.More police alone won’t solve extortion crisis in Surrey, B.C., says criminologistLast week, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke made a request for 150 extra police officers in her city, amid a wave of extortion threats aimed at residents. While the request has received general support from both the province and the federal government, Wade Deisman, a criminologist at the University of the Fraser Valley, questions how realistic it is given a lack of policing staff across the country. He also says that the community has a role to play in helping solve extortion cases.It’ll take more than just hiring more police officers to solve an extortion crisis in Surrey, B.C., according to Wade Deisman, a criminologist at the University of the Fraser Valley.Deisman said even if there were available police officers to hire — of which there are very few — it takes time for police to build community trust.”It’s tempting for all of us to think that policing is the solution. The reality is, the community has a very important role,” he told CBC’s On The Coast.Deisman said many issues can be solved by citizens stepping up and sharing information.Police department capacity and staffing are expected to be some of the issues discussed at the CBC News Town Hall, Extortion: Communities in Fear.It will be held on Nov. 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT at Surrey Art Centre, located at 13750 88 Ave.Guests will include police, politicians and community leaders — and members of the public are invited.
More police alone won’t solve extortion crisis in Surrey, B.C.: criminologist
