SURREY (NEWS1130) – Newton is one of the Surrey neighbourhoods hardest hit by crime recently and while police search for solutions, area merchants are also dealing with the ongoing violence. However, businesses in the area aren’t giving up hope.

“Due to the tragedies that we’ve had in the past two years, from Julie Paskall to Serena Vermeersch and to the over 20 shootings we’ve had recently, obviously there is some concern, but I do believe we can turn the ship around,” says Philip Aguirre, who heads up the area’s Business Improvement Association.

Aguirre, is advocating for a neighbourhood revitalization — one, he feels, is long overdue.

He’s optimistic a meeting with police and politicians will push that plan forward.