Image: Surrey RCMP / Surrey RCMP said Friday they plan to increase patrols near transit stations alongside Transit Police, according to a news release from Corporal Vanessa Munn of the Surrey RCMP.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Surrey RCMP to increase transit patrols

Surrey RCMP to ramp up transit patrols after two violent incidents

Apr 14, 2023 | 11:56 AM

SURREY — Following two violent incidents in two weeks in Surrey, including the senseless death of a 17-year-old male who was fatally stabbed on a transit bus, Surrey RCMP say they plan to ramp up patrols through a joint project alongside Transit Police, given the recent violent incidents.

In a news release from Corporal Vanessa Munn, media relations officer for the Surrey RCMP, Mounties say overall violent crime is down by 14 per cent, but do step up patrols as needed.

“While overall violent crime is down so far this year by 14 per cent in Surrey, we do closely monitor crime trends by location and strategically deploy resources to the identified areas,” Munn said in a statement.

A violent confrontation occurred on Saturday, April 1 aboard a transit bus in Surrey. A suspect, Abdul Aziz Kawam, is charged with attempted murder, assault causing bodily harm, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon, all in association with terrorist group the Islamic State, after he allegedly slashed the throat of an individual, the Canadian Press reported. The victim whose throat was slashed on April 1, is now recovering at home.

In the second incident, a 17-year-old teen was fatally stabbed Tuesday, April 11 while aboard a transit bus in the city. Investigators say the victim and his attacker had some sort of altercation while on the bus, not far from the King George SkyTrain station.

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Surrey RCMP say the two separate stabbing incidents over the course of two weeks on public transit in Surrey are disturbing.

“While the incidents are not related and the circumstances surrounding the events differ greatly, we recognize that these violent acts can generate fear in the community,” Cpl. Munn said in her statement. “In terms of public safety on transit and around major transit hubs, Surrey RCMP works closely with our partners at the Metro Vancouver Transit Police. We have a dedicated unit, the Mobile Street Enforcement Team (MSET), who patrol by bike and foot around busy centres like malls and around major transit hubs. We will be upping patrols through a joint project alongside Transit Police, given the recent violent incidents.”