Canada’s Minister of Public Safety says the rise of extortion-related crimes in the Lower Mainland is “unacceptable” and the federal RCMP will send more officers to support ground efforts.

Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he met with his provincial counterpart, Nina Krieger, B.C. Premier David Eby, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, and CBSA President Erin O’Gorman Wednesday.

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“It is clear that all levels of government must work together to disrupt and dismantle these criminal networks,” Anandasangaree said in a statement on social media.

He says the deployment of the 20 more officers and committing helicopter resources to Surrey is the urgent and serious response that the situation demands.

The announcement comes amid pressure from local governments, including the Surrey city council, asking the federal government to declare a ‘state of emergency’ over the crime wave.

Anandasangaree’s statement Wednesday did not include that declaration.

Meanwhile, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke calls for a national extortion commissioner.

She says she will meet with Anandasangaree next week in Ottawa.

“Of course, we are going to need more. I think there’s no question about that. But this is a movement forward. And next week, I am going to Ottawa to meet with the Minister of Public Safety as well as the minister responsible for combating crime in this country.”

Coun. Linda Annis says the federal support is not enough.

“The city is in crisis right now. Each and every morning that I get up, it seems that I hear about another extortion attempt or a shooting. We really need more assistance from the federal government,” she said.

She also calls for a national commissioner.

“We need a national commissioner. We know that the folks who are committing these crimes are going from city to city, cities like Brampton, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg. So we need a national approach,” Annis said.

Anandasangaree says the commitment comes on top of the government’s $4 million in federal funding to the Regional Drug Enforcement Team (RIDET) and $1 million to support victims in the province.

As of Monday, Jan. 26, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) says it has received 36 reports of extortion, affecting 21 victims, and including eight shootings since the start of the year.