October 30, 2023-11:00am
The location is 351 Abbott Street (near Hastings) – the atrium between London Drugs and Nesters market – and the livestream address is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 89507211070?pwd= eUk2NHY1ZEhzRDVzUUtQVGI3TExLUT 09
For those attending virtually, if prompted for a passcode to access, please enter: 621882
This is a media launch to introduce SOS.
Surrey Board of Trade will also be present at this media launch.
MORE INFORMATION
What are the issues?
The recent escalation in crime and violence in our communities has reached a crisis point. Many community members are afraid for themselves, their families and of the deterioration of their neighbourhoods as safe places to live, work and play. That fear is evidenced in the business community by employees being afraid of being assaulted in and around their job locations and customers becoming increasingly nervous over venturing into certain commercial areas.
The dramatic increase in the cost of security and absorbing costs of theft have resulted in businesses in jeopardy of closure, as some in fact have done, and in a significant increase in the cost of living for every family in British Columbia as prices of goods and services are increased in an attempt to recover those costs.
Why was the SOS Coalition formed?
Community leaders from communities and businesses have been expressing concern over the threats of crime and violence in their communities for years. The issues are well known and while words matter, now is the time for solutions.
As SOS is an internationally recognized signal of distress and a cry for help, our coalition of concerned citizen groups and business from throughout BC is dedicated to delivering this message.
Governments at all levels have responded in various ways to specific aspects of the problem but the conditions have worsened in many if not most circumstances.
Community groups have become engaged in various forms and have resulted in the realization that a province-wide, non-partisan movement is required to raise awareness of the issues and their cost to families and the community in a manner that makes this suite of issues an election priority in the next election cycle.
We call on government to implement innovative, aggressive and comprehensive solutions now.
What are the issues?
The recent escalation in crime and violence in our communities has reached a crisis point. Many community members are afraid for themselves, their families and of the deterioration of their neighbourhoods as safe places to live, work and play. That fear is evidenced in the business community by employees being afraid of being assaulted in and around their job locations and customers becoming increasingly nervous over venturing into certain commercial areas.
The dramatic increase in the cost of security and absorbing costs of theft have resulted in businesses in jeopardy of closure, as some in fact have done, and in a significant increase in the cost of living for every family in British Columbia as prices of goods and services are increased in an attempt to recover those costs.
Why was the SOS Coalition formed?
Community leaders from communities and businesses have been expressing concern over the threats of crime and violence in their communities for years. The issues are well known and while words matter, now is the time for solutions.
As SOS is an internationally recognized signal of distress and a cry for help, our coalition of concerned citizen groups and business from throughout BC is dedicated to delivering this message.
Governments at all levels have responded in various ways to specific aspects of the problem but the conditions have worsened in many if not most circumstances.
Community groups have become engaged in various forms and have resulted in the realization that a province-wide, non-partisan movement is required to raise awareness of the issues and their cost to families and the community in a manner that makes this suite of issues an election priority in the next election cycle.
We call on government to implement innovative, aggressive and comprehensive solutions now.
MEDIA CONTACT: Trevor Pancoust at 778-386-0843, tpancoust@ pacegroup.com.
For Surrey Board of Trade: Anita Huberman, President, 604-340-3899, anita@businessinsurrey.com
