Surrey school trustee to go behind bars for Crime Stoppers fundraiser

Gary Tymoschuk, chairperson of the Surrey Board of Education and former president of the Surrey Crime Prevention Society, will be among community members mock-arrested for Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers’ annual Jail and Bail fundraiser.

The event is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Central City Plaza in Surrey. Participants will spend a few hours behind mock bars and must raise enough bail money to secure their release. Tymoschuk’s bail has been set at $2,000.

Tymoschuk told Peace Arch News that Crime Stoppers approached him about participating. After speaking with several people to learn more about the fundraiser, he agreed. He said his previous role with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society had already connected him with the work of Crime Stoppers and other community-safety organizations.

He said such groups provide extra eyes, ears and hands to assist law-enforcement agencies, which he said face budget pressures along with many other organizations. He said organizations such as Vancouver Crime Stoppers do valuable work in Metro Vancouver and throughout Surrey.

Money raised through Jail and Bail will support Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers and its initiatives, providing resources for its crime-fighting work, Tymoschuk said. He said he is willing to spend a few hours behind bars for the cause, but hopes community members will help him get out quickly by contributing to his bail.

Crime Stoppers is encouraging residents to view participating mock inmates’ arrest warrants and wanted posters online and donate toward their bail. The Surrey event is one of three Jail and Bail fundraisers supporting Crime Stoppers’ work across Metro Vancouver and the Upper Fraser Valley. More information is available at solvecrime.ca/index.php/en/events/jail-and-bail-2026.