Another Surrey gangland shooting, the 33rd this year!

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – This week marks one month since Surrey RCMP publicly shamed five men who’ve been targets in a series of shootings in that city this year.

But despite asking for help, no tips have come in. And the lack of information from the public, witnesses, and family and friends of those involved is starting to frustrate investigators who are hoping for a break sooner than later.

Corporal Scotty Schumann says not getting any help is affecting officers handling the case.

“It’s very frustrating, any time that we can’t solve a crime. Certainly, we want to improve the security and the livability in the city. But when our investigation sort of comes to a head and we can’t move forward anymore, it takes a toll.”

“It takes a toll on members who are really engaged in these files, investigating them and wanting to see them come to a head,” he adds.

There have been more than 30 shootings or shots fired calls in Surrey so far this year.

Last month, RCMP identified five targets as Karman Singh Grewal, 25, from Vancouver; Manbir Singh Grewal, 28, and Ibrahim Amjed Ibrahim, 29, from Coquitlam; Indervir Singh Johal, 23, and Harmeet Singh Sanghera, 23, from Surrey.

Police say they have all refused to provide statements or information. The men are still considered targets and police fear those around them could also get hurt.

Last night there was another gangland shooting very close to where Cheryl, Dave and Lexi live.  Luckily they did not hear the shots. The shooting was two blocks north from an elementary school and two blocks east is the Cloverdale Atheletic Park!  Pardeep Singh, aged 22 was shot and killed in his car on the driveway of his parents home.  He was known to police and linked to gangs.

On June 15, 2015 four houses away from us was another one of these shootings.  We were sitting upstairs with the windows wide open. We heard the automatic gunfire!  Both of us stayed where we were and waited for the police to arrive which was very quick.  When we got up we saw police cars on the lane behind us and our street was closed to traffic.  Two people were shot.  Both were known to police.  They were taken off to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  I will never forget the sound of the gunfire!  36 bullet holes were found at the home! One of the victims lived with his family in the house he was shot at.  To date, no one has been arrested with this crime.
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Post from CBC News March 12, 2015 -
The recent burst of gun violence in Surrey has left residents on edge and three men injured, but RCMP say none of the shootings were random attacks.  Police believe all six shootings were targeted, and that four of them are connected and involve people tied up in "low-level drug crime."
They can't say at this point whether it's a drug turf war but RCMP investigators want to know more about the activities of five men who they believe were involved in the four connected shootings. All are known to police.

• Pardip Brar, of Delta, aged 20
• Indervir Johal, of Surrey, aged 21
• Amrit Kular, of Surrey, aged 20
• Pardeep Singh, of Surrey, aged 20
• Sameh Mohammed, of Surrey, aged 20

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What is so frustrating is the RCMP have increased surveillance, followed known gang members, set up cameras in areas where they operate and it still continues.  A year ago they pleaded to the families, relatives and friends of known drug dealers because of their safety to come to the police for protection for all the family members.  To date no relative, friend or family has come forward.  In a press conference this afternoon, Cpl. Meghan Foster revealed that the victim of the targeted shooting in Cloverdale had been involved in four shootings already and had been offered protection by RCMP.

I am not racial profiling but these people are all from one ethnic group.  The families all live together in large houses, mostly in higher priced neighbourhoods.  These family members must know what their children/grandchildren are involved in.  They don't work, they sell drugs!  As no one is coming forward to assist the police and everyone in Surrey is at risk it's time our politicians started making the family members accountable.  If they are not Canadian citizens, send them back!  If they are, prosecute them as harbouring criminals.  I'm fed up with the violence in this city.  I am sending an email to my John Aldag my Member of Parliament and Linda Hepper, Mayor of Surrey as it's time our federal government got involved!   Linda Heppner has been very involved with the RCMP but it's just getting worse, not better.  Time the feds got involved!

Tropical Storm Harvey

I've been watching the horrific events in Houston and surrounding areas.  The flooding is overwhelming.  My cousin's daughter and family live in Spring, Texas.  I follow her on Facebook and she posted on Sunday church was cancelled and there would be no school on Monday or Tuesday. Today I spoke with her mom.  They are not flooded but there is flooding all around where they live.  School is cancelled for the remainder of the week.   Her husband is a journalist for the Wall Street Journal and headed out yesterday.  He was unable to get home as the roads were flooded.  He fortunately found a hotel to spend the night and made it home this morning.

Here is his report:

More rain was forecast in the coming days; the city could receive a total of as much as 50 inches of rain—about equal to its annual average total. The disaster swamped businesses, including patches of the energy industry, and will disrupt travel this week.

The White House said President Donald Trump plans to travel to Texas on Tuesday to survey the damage.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Sunday said only one death in the city was confirmed so far as storm-related. He said a woman drove into high water in southwest Houston and drowned while trying to escape.

Even in a city accustomed to flooding and bracing for the impact of the storm, the rapidly rising waters caught many off-guard, raising questions about whether the city should have been evacuated.

“No one thought it would be this bad,” said Aeisha Brimzy, a stay-at-home mom plucked from the rising waters around her apartment building by constables, who also rescued her six daughters, mother and sister. The family went to the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown, which the city had turned into a giant evacuation center.

Rescued families sat on folding chairs or laid on the floor, many still clutching white towels they had been given with which to dry off as they received assistance from the Red Cross.

Mr. Turner said the city was also opening libraries, community centers and other locations as “lily pads” to provide safe harbor from the waters in neighborhoods.

“This is a storm that is testing the city of Houston,” he said.

Most rescues were from vehicles that got stranded after driving into floodwaters, with responders assisting on foot, in large vehicles, by boat and via helicopters.

By Sunday morning, officials warned that 911 services were at capacity and urged people to take whatever steps they could to find safety. When their calls couldn't get through, families issued pleas over social media for help.

Wireless networks along the Texas coast suffered outages, federal regulators said, leaving customers in some counties with limited or no cellphone service.

State officials said Sunday evening that a widespread power outage caused a sewage overflow into a Corpus Christi creek.
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This was posted on Facebook tonight:

This is where her children play soccer!  Notice the top of the goals and concession stand.  Apparently it's on it's way down!

Cousins

I grew up with many cousins close who lived close by.   Our parents were all friends and they visited often.   We are all still good friends.  My mom used to say "you choose your friends but your stuck with your cousins".  I'm so happy to have them in my life.

I have one cousin who moved to the US right after she got married.  We didn't contact each other for 40+ years.  She lives in Las Vegas and we reconnected a few years ago.  She loves to shop and did some "back to school" shopping for her other cousin's granddaughter.   In order to eliminate high postage and border fees she sent it to me and I used my Nexus pass and picked it up today at the post office in Blaine.  I was going to the US for gas anyway and I'm always glad to help someone out.

I have another first cousin I hadn't seen in over 40 years!  He just visited with his family and we had a wonderful time.  His two daughters and my granddaughter have all become friends.  They live in Alberta but it's so nice to keep in touch.  My first cousin's daughter came to visit too and we are invited back to her home next weekend.  We are going go go through her grandmother's pictures (my dad's sister) and see what old pictures she has of our family.  We will scan them and share them with my Alberta cousins!

Because of Facebook, I've reconnected with cousins that I haven't heard from in years.  Because of Ancestry, I've met cousins from the UK and Australia I didn't know existed.  Thank you social media and the computer age.

To all my cousins near and far, have a great day and it's a pleasure to have you in my life.

Toll free BC!

On April 1, 1963 the Social Credit Government announced there would never be any more bridge tolls in British Columbia.  Well, we all know how that went.  I know you have to pay for bridges but the tolling of the new Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges was very unfair. There are no tolls on the new Kelowna bridge or any other new bridges in BC.  Anyone who lives south of the Fraser River and commuted into Vancouver was faced with a $1500.00 yearly bridge toll.  This hit families very hard and people who voted Liberal previously, in the last election changed their votes to the NDP.  It is the reason the Liberals lost the riding's south of the Fraser and why we have a change in government. Our MLA's didn't listen to their constituents.  We've watched commercial truck traffic avoid the Port Mann and redirect to the Pattulo Bridge, Alex Fraser Bridge and Massey Tunnel.  I'm sure these other alternative bridges will see less congestion after September 1st.

Bridge tolls were put on the Ironworkers Memorial, Lions Gate Bridges and Massey Tunnel when they were built.  I remember my dad stopping to pay the tolls at the booths before you crossed the bridge.  In those days most people lived in Vancouver/Burnaby/New Westminster and commuting wasn't done.  In 1938 when my dad was hired by the Vancouver Fire Department it was a requirement to live within the Vancouver city limits.  If there was a major fire and you were off duty, you were on call and expected to get there quickly.  My mom and dad paid $100.00 for their 33 ft lot at 45th and Boundary!   I don't think you can purchase a home in Vancouver under $2,000,000!  It's become unaffordable for most families to live within the city.

I wonder if the controversial Massey Tunnel replacement bridge will be built?

American Girl Dolls!

This is the doll that looks like you.  One of her first AG dolls!

I promised Lexi, or bribed Lexi, that if she was an excellent girl on the trip I would take her to Seattle and buy her American Girl Doll #19. It's from the Truly Me collection. It's not available in Canada and she really wanted it.  So on Tuesday we drove to Seattle, went to the Lynnwood Mall and she got #19.  She doesn't have a name yet.  I thought she could call her "that's enough" but she doesn't see the humour in it.  She has loved American Girl dolls since she was 8.  She really looks after them.  We took one of her dolls to Indigo on Broadway a few months ago to get her ears pierced.  It was $16, includes earrings and she used her own money to have it done.  Cec has a great tool that would have worked just fine but we had to go to the "beauty salon" to get the ears pierced.  They have a book of hair styles and stylists that do dolls hair.  They have hearing aids that can be put on your doll, a hospital if your doll is sick, breaks something or loses an eye!   There are details on the website how you get your doll admitted to hospital.  When they are discharged they will wash her, brush her hair, give her a certificate of good health, a get well card, a hospital ID bracelet and a doll hospital gown!

A school teacher in the US started the company.  The original dolls were women in American history.  They are from different ethnic backgrounds and come with a book about their life.  They have made several movies about the lives of these dolls.  The clothing is from the period of time they lived.  They are empowering to girls.  Every year on January 1st they introduce the doll of the year.  Lexi's birthday is in March so for the last three years I've purchased the doll of the year for her birthday.  As it's no surprise, this year Cec and I went out in the snow on New Years Day for door opening at Indigo on West Broadway so we could get the special surprise that came with the doll of the year!  I have no idea what the surprise was.  She got her birthday present three months early.

This morning I got a text message from Lexi "Samantha is retiring".  I wondered who Samantha was thinking it was maybe the gymnastics teacher.  No, it's an American Girl Doll.  I returned a text saying "I hope she enjoys her retirement as much as I do".

Cheryl collected Barbie's and still has them in the original boxes.  Lexi said she wants to keep these dolls for her daughter like her mom did for her.  I don't know how much longer she will play with them but it's sure been a pleasure to watch her these past few years.

It's been a little busy

For my friends who wonder why I haven't emailed or called, there is nothing wrong but I've been really busy.  When we got home the usual washing, reading mail, getting some food in the house and general get rid of the dust.  However, before I left I had an email from a cousin who lives in Alberta that I haven't seen in over 40 years.  He was going to Vancouver Island for a wedding and wanted to reconnect.  His trip home was on Sunday and he arrived with his wife and two beautiful daughters.

While I was in the UK, I thought what a great time for a family get together.  I invited his other cousin, her husband and daughter, a few more family members and before I knew it I had 17 "yes" replies.  In order to make it "easy" so I could spend as much time with company I went to Costco for some nice prepared salads and marinated BBQ chicken.  We still have blueberries in our garden so I managed to make two blueberry pies from our trees and bought enough to make two more pies.  Fresh corn is always good, so dinner was easy.  I decided to use paper plates, not the best but was certainly a time saver.

It was wonderful to have everyone over.  I should have taken a group picture but I never thought of it until half the people left!   I did manage to get the cousins who met each other for the first time.  There were six children and they all behaved so well!

Now for some sleep.....

Beautiful girls, gorgeous smiles!

Home again

While it's great to go away, it's always nice to come home.  Thanks to Cheryl for looking after our house.  Suitcases unpacked, washing done and everything has been put away!  We went to Langley Costco at 10 AM and by the time we finished shopping the cashier lines were back past the candy aisle once again.  Costco in London was not crowded and actually had parking spots.  We need another Costco in the South Surrey area.  I'm about to give up my Costco membership.  It's just not worth the frustration.

British Airways is as nice way to fly.  The A380 is quiet and the crew exceptional.  We went to The Colley Rowe Inn for the curry special lunch before we went to Heathrow.  Dinner on BA was either vegetarian pasta alfredo or chicken curry.  Before we landed we had curried chicken sandwiches. Now I like curry but I've had my fill.  It was tasty.  Henrik Sedin, his wife and boys were on our flight.

Canada Customs is not handing out landing cards any longer at YVR.  If you have Nexus it's so easy!  No lines, just put your Nexus card in the machine, answer "are you going on a farm" and "did you overspend" questions, hit continue, show your iris's to the mirror on the machine and it spits out a piece of paper.  You don't even have to speak to one of the customs people.  Now I'm sure if they think you have something you shouldn't they would pull you over.  I appreciate the Nexus/Goes program and would never do anything to lose this privilege.

Our last day, a look back

We accepted Princess Cruises generous "move over offer" and wondered if we made the right decision.  Of course next year we get to go on the same cruise, for free (thank you Princess Cruises), a huge on board credit and upgraded to a mini-suite.  We decided we weren't going to cancel our flights but we'd go to the UK.  Lexi has never been overseas and she was really looking forward to the trip.  She was okay with changing the cruise until next year.  She will be 13 and on the 2018 cruise she would be able to go in the teen room.  We decided to go to Paris because we've only spent one day there on a shore excursion while on a previous cruise.  We really enjoyed our four day side trip.  Everything in Paris was expensive but we stayed in a great hotel and had some wonderful French cuisine.

I can't figure out who is more spoiled.  A 12 year old that gets breakfast in bed every day or a cat that has eight dishes of food including Marks and Spencer's fresh chicken.  If it's from Tesco Lillie leaves it.  Now Jean is a vegetarian but she feeds Lillie chicken breast.

On Friday, we had a large lunch and Lexi wasn't hungry when we had dinner.  About 8 o'clock she said "I'm ready for dinner now, can you serve me in bed"?  Of course Jean did.  Lexi's favorite is Hawaiian pizza which of course was made for her.  Jean has been getting up at 5 AM every day.  Most days she goes to Krispy Kreme to get Lexi a much needed chocolate donut.  It's a great breakfast Lexi says.  While we were in Romford today we stopped by Krispy Kreme.  I purchased three donuts for £5.25!  Tim Hortons is much cheaper but the only Tim Horton's in the UK is in Glasgow.

Hawaiian pizza, a good book and a cell phone.  I took out the SIM but we got wi-fi from the neighbour Andrew.
We gave Andrew Pacific salmon and a huge thank you..  

Lillie the gorgeous cat!

Lillies buffet 

Fresh cooked chicken, wet food, three bowls of different dried food, treats, cat milk and filtered water

How many selfies can a girl take?  Lexi took so many on my phone she set up a selfie album!  I never laughed so hard when she took my phone on the Eurostar, took a selfie and put on Facebook:  "I stole my grandma's phone, plz like and comment"!  She has a wonderful sense of humour!






I had to take a picture of the donuts that worked out to CAD$ 2.88 each!

Liverpool Street Station

The over ground TFL train from Romford end of the line.  If you board at Liverpool you get a great seat

Google maps will tell you to take the underground to Trafalgar Square but the #23 bus takes longer but it's so scenic

Wherever we travel we always try to find Costco.  This one didn't disappoint..  They had Canadian Maple Syrup!

Lexi loves Nutella.  Krispy Kreme gave her this little jar when Jean purchased another £5.25 3 pack of donuts!

UK Postal Worker.  Cec had a great discussion with him.  They still get door to door residential delivery six days a week!
Two posties work out of this truck and they do it all.  He complained his short days are gone and they now work a full day.

Thank you to everyone who made our trip so special!

Market Day at Romford

Market Day at Romford is Wednesday, Friday and Saturday,  We met Jean's former colleague, Margaret and had a wonderful pub lunch.  Then we walked through the market and caught our last double decker bus home.  Lexi loves the double decker buses.  She gets on first and runs to the top.  Most of the time she gets a front seat and she really enjoys it.  Today's bus trip didn't disappoint as the front seats were empty.  I guess tonight we pack as today is our last full day.  Tomorrow Mark is picking us up at 1:30.  We will have our last lunch pub meal tomorrow before we go to Heathrow as it's Curry Day at Colley Row Inn!

At The Bull Pub in Romford

Two orders of Fish & Chips £8.50!  This is a full size plate and the fish was very fresh!

Market Day is year round!

Southend-On-Sea

We took the train to Southend-On-Sea.  It was a gorgeous day!  I've been here a few times and it's one of my favorite seaside towns.  Lexi asked what it was like and I told her "White Rock on steroids"!  We had fish and chips on a patio overlooking the sea.  Then we walked the longest pier in the world.  When we got to the end there were lots of guys fishing.  Cec met a fellow from Ontario,  No one was catching anything.  Lexi wasn't interested in the amusement park.  We saw lots of people swimming in the ocean.  It was a great day!  We walked at least 6 kms!

On the train to Southend-On-Sea

On the way from the train station to the beach

View from our table.  Everyone ordered the fish.  It was delicious!

Captains plate, scampi, calamari, sole, chips, salad and garden peas, Cec's lunch and it looked good

We walked it both ways

The train is great if you don't need the exercise.  We had to walk off the fish and chips!

Popular beach

Nice warm day, lots of people in the ocean

Amusement park

View from the train on the way home

Giverny - the home of Monet

Claude Monet
14 November 1840 - 5 December 1926

Monet was a founder of Fresh impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein-air landscaping.  Of all the artists, he is my favorite.  I love his passion for colour and when we visited this quaint little village you could see he painted what he saw.  It's mid-August and there is still a lot of colour in his gardens.  It was magical!  I had so many pictures of this gorgeous place, I waited until I got back to my laptop and took time to go through them.

We stopped here for lunch!  What a gorgeous setting and the food was incredible!

Entrance to the Japanese Garden

A street in Giverny

Monet's house is in the background

Gardens in front of Monet's house

This photo was taken from the top floor of his home

We visited Giverny last Wednesday.  I waited to go through my pictures to make sure I posted some good ones.  I've posted some on Facebook from my phone but when I select them they are the size of a postage stamp.  We loved Giverny!   What a beautiful place.

Sunday dinner in the UK: Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding

We went to an actual restaurant!  Pubs have roast beef dinner too but the atmosphere here was really nice

Four types of meat for the carnivore!  Cec had the meat but Lexi, Jean and I had vegetarian

Roast potatoes, corn, peas, scalloped potatoes stuffing and more!  Yorkshire puddings are above and they were delicious.

South Street Romford