Whalley's homeless concerned about new Surrey Outreach Unit

A group of homeless people who live along Whalley's notorious 135A Street strip isn'timpressed that a new team of 12 police officers and four bylaw officers will be dedicated to the area on a full-time basis.

Mayor Linda Hepner and Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. Dwayne McDonald announced the creation of the Surrey Outreach Team earlier this week.

"It's going to provide 24/7 visible presence of police, bylaws and social services to help those in need, increase the public safety and the protection of property of area businesses and residents and target those who are preying on the vulnerable in the area," Hepner said.

Wanda Stopa, who has helped organize community rallies in the past, said the city should have done a better job of consulting residents in the area about the team.

"Why wasn't anybody informing me about this so that somebody could come from the strip and go to this meeting and say that's not going to do, that's not going to help?" Stopa said.

"This is stupid. I don't want to have to do another rally just to make a point but I will. This isn't right."

Stopa, who lives in a tent on the strip with her partner and two dogs, says someone like her should be involved in decisions the city makes about her neighbourhood.

"If you want to talk about people on 135A Street, then you should have somebody from 135A Street involved in this stuff," she said.

Business support

Whalley's homeless are skeptical about what the team can accomplish but the business community believes the squad can make a difference.

"We applaud the city's new designated unit," said Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association CEO Elizabeth Model.

"There will be a significant police presence, they'll get to know more of the people who are living on the streets and some of their issues."