MAYOR UPS CRACKDOWN

Surrey's mayor has ordered police to stop motorists in a section of Whalley
notorious for prostitution and drugs and make them explain why they are
there. Three roadblocks were set up Wednesday afternoon in the
neighbourhood of a two-block strip of 135A Street, between 106th and 108th
avenues, that has been a hangout for drug dealers and prostitutes.

"They were asking drivers for their licence and registration and then
asking them what they were doing there," said one motorist, who asked not
to be identified. Mayor Doug McCallum said the new measure is part of a
planned escalation of enforcement in the area, but his actions are being
criticized as going too far. It's one thing to stop drivers who approach
dealers or hookers, Coun. Dianne Watts said, but at 4 p.m. on a weekday,
area businesses are open and most motorists would be there for legitimate
reasons.

"I support targeting drug dealers and johns trying to purchase sex, but to
arbitrarily pull over people going about their daily business is not
appropriate. That's excessive," said Watts, former public safety committee
chair.

McCallum doesn't see it that way. He said the roadblocks are part and
parcel of the get-tough-on-crime campaign he announced early this year, and
he has no qualms about law-abiding citizens being stopped and questioned by
police.

"People on legitimate business don't have anything to fear up there,"
McCallum said.

Roadblocks go up all over Surrey looking for drunk drivers, the mayor said,
so what's wrong with putting them in Whalley to deter other criminal activity?

In January, McCallum ordered city workers to erect concrete barriers in the
middle of the 135A strip, blocking through traffic and making vehicular
access to the hookers and dealers more difficult.

In April, the barricades came out and 135A Street was made one-way,
something McCallum said makes it easier to monitor traffic. Police patrols
were also increased in the area, with street people being regularly
questioned and searched.

Now, McCallum has two police officers and a paddy wagon stationed all day
long on 135A, just to make sure everyone gets the message.

"We're going to clean up Whalley and we'll do it whatever way we can."