Community members attended a police-led town hall Thursday night in Calgary’s northeast to address growing concerns and fears over increasing violence surrounding extortion cases targeting South Asians. That violence includes 11 shootings. City police hosted the meeting with ALERT and Crime Stoppers at the Dashmesh Culture Centre. Representation from the Alberta government was also there. A major topic was lack of trust between some of the South Asian community and local police. This was said to often be shaped by negative experiences with police in people’s countries of origin. Local police emphasized they’re here to help. They encouraged community members to come forward so issues can be addressed together. Also, police offered crime prevention training, extortion awareness sessions and presentations from hate-crime units. Youth engagement was highlighted, with the goal of helping young people feel safer and more comfortable interacting with police. Police and government officials expressed a shared commitment to addressing extortion and protecting Calgary’s South Asian community. Many of the extortion threats reference the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a well-known criminal group from India. Police said in many cases, individuals are exploiting the gang’s “brand” to create fear and extort money. One attendee, who preferred to remain anonymous, told CTV News his experience started like so many others—with a call over WhatsApp. The caller demanded money within 24 hours. They mentioned the attendee’s children. And they left him with instructions on how to pay. “I’ve talked to police, and they’re helping me, but I’ve also asked for private security for my home and spending on that,” the attendee said. “I have a family. I have younger kids. “It’s astonishing to me. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody.” The attendee said he doesn’t know why he was targeted. “I’m not a wealthy guy,” he said. In Calgary, no arrests have been made related to these extortion cases. No links to Calgary cases have popped up elsewhere. Recent arrests have occurred in Surrey and Ontario, and police said all investigative avenues are being pursued. Police said they understand the urge to defend oneself, but that it’s not like on television. Doing so potentially creates greater risk, police said. The safest response, police said, is to contact them. Police emphasized Alberta remains a safe province. The attendee CTV News spoke with said words aren’t enough—people are wanting more. “Once (police) deliver on some actions, then the public can feel they’re actually working on it (and) then they will have safety,” the attendee said. The fact many extortion attempts are happening through cyber means was addressed. It was said there is intent to improve information sharing and to advocate for reforms related to cybercrime among police, the province and partners. Justice Minister Mickey Amery called out telecom companies as also needing to take greater responsibility, as current safeguards are seen as insufficient to protect individuals. The Government of Alberta says it’s working with police to address cyber-based extortion. It was said police leaders are advocating federally for bail reform and stronger border and immigration laws. It was said these efforts are being pushed through police commissions and national policing organizations. Amery told CTV News he felt the town hall went phenomenally. He said it “was well-attended” by members of the community “who have all expressed a concern about these cases of extortion and their experiences.” He also said the coming together of police, the province and partners “shows a pattern of collaboration” and will “help address a very important community problem.”
