As a lawyer in Surrey, Justin Thind knows full well how crime has impacted his community.
“Crime has exploded all over Surrey,” said Thind.
“Innocent people going about their business are becoming victims and needles have been found in my child’s school”
Instead of just expressing his concerns, Thind has decided to do something about it.
He is running to be a Surrey councillor in next week’s municipal election to make Surrey a safer place.
Under the banner of mayoral hopeful Doug McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, Thind said the current leaders have already had a chance to make change and they have failed.
“Its time for decisive and concrete action to ensure public safety,” he said.
Thind’s fellow candidates include Rina Gill, Laurie Guerra and Beau Simpson.
Together with, McCallum who served a Surrey City Councillor between 1993-1996 and as Mayor of Surrey between 1996-2005, the Safe Surrey Coalition vows a multi-faceted approach to effectively reduce violent crime in this city.
Their promise includes; 
1) the creation of Mayor’s Integrated Public Safety Council
2) guarantee minimum standards for RCMP service levels
3) the hiring of 95 New RCMP Officers & to double street patrols
4) double the number of Bylaw Officers
5) invest in Social Development Programs
6) and expand public involvement in local crime prevention.
“Since 2003, the City of Surrey has the worst performance of the nine largest municipalities in BC in lowering criminal code offences, and is the only city in the region to see an increase in violent crime,” said McCallum.
“Public safety is Surrey’s top priority in this election, and the chain of accountability must once again flow directly from the Mayor’s office.”
For Thind, McCallum’s platform provides a sensible, sound and strategic crime-fighting tool.
Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Thind has immersed himself and his young family into the City of Surrey since being called to the Bar of British Columbia as a lawyer in 2006. 
He is a managing partner in a full service law group that is proud to be a part of the dynamic Surrey business community.
He uses his previous residency in many Surrey neighbourhoods including Newton, Cloverdale, Sullivan Station and Fleetwood, as well as his past career working in government, as the inspiration behind his decision to run for City Council as part of the Safe Surrey Coalition.
“Simply put, whether in the Surrey Provincial Court, or at the neighbourhood level, I have witnessed the impacts of local crime first hand. I sees how Surrey’s growth is strongly encouraged by the current Mayor and Council, and yet the proper resources to deal with the issues attached to such rapid change have not kept pace.” “This also includes other voids like a lack of transit infrastructure, inaccessible community facilities for under privileged youth, and a problematic electoral system that prevents representatives from effectively speaking to the unique issues of different neighbourhoods.”
“I understand the positive impact that municipal government can have in the lives of residents, so I find it very frustrating that this current Mayor and Council are more concerned with their political legacy than demonstrating leadership.”
Surrey will become BC’s biggest city within the next decade, so it is essential to have civic representatives that work well with other levels of government.
“With the recent cuts to the RCMP gang task force and the ongoing absence of transit investment in Surrey, it doesn’t appear that we have those relationships,” he said.
Thind is also pushing for a Wards System for city representation.
“I believe that the time has come for Surrey neighbourhoods to have representatives fighting for their specific interests at City Hall. All regions of Surrey deserve an equal voice at the table, and an advocate is always best when they can directly relate as a neighbour rather than simply as a politician.”
Safe Surrey Coalition’s other South Asian candidate for councillor is Rina Gill, a successful small business owner who is actively engaged in Surrey through her extensive community work with various organizations, events and causes. 
Gill entered Surrey municipal politics in the 2008 election, where she placed 9th, missing a spot on City Council by one place.
She continued her involvement with local civic issues following this experience, and is excited to once again put her passion and commitment for community up for the consideration of Surrey’s voters.
“Surrey has so many citizens contributing to making the community a better place, and I want to ensure that City Council properly harnesses this energy through partnership,” she said.
“Small businesses form the backbone of Surrey’s economy, but the sector lacks a champion on City Council because of a focus on regional summits and paying for expensive international speakers.  It is time for the local business community to have their voices heard”
Gill is also critical on how outgoing mayor Dianne Watts and her team, including mayoral candidate Linda Hepner spent local tax dollars.
“The new City Hall is a $150 million fortress that isn’t very accessible or user friendly for citizens.  City Council must take a broad approach to representing all local interests equally by truly getting out into the community.”