The fear may be subsiding, but the grief remains — and with it, the unsettling feeling that something about our community has changed forever.
Our once-quiet seaside city has seen much change in recent years, but nothing could have prepared us for the impact of two violent attacks last week: stabbings that left Jatinder Singh injured and Kulwinder Singh Sohi dead.
Our hearts go out to Jatinder and to the families of both young men, left reeling from the suddenness of this unexpected violence.
There are no words to heal the loss — above all, the loss of a young man who should have lived to see many more than his 26 short years. His death has torn a hole in the lives of those who knew him.
We send our deepest condolences to all those who are mourning Kulwinder’s death. We hope that your memories will bring you joy and that justice will be served in a way that brings you comfort.
At the same time, we recognize that there is a lingering sense of loss in the wider community: the loss of a sense of safety and security in this beautiful place where we live and work and play.
Will we ever again feel the same sense of freedom? Will we feel the same ease in leaving our homes, in taking for granted that a walk along the promenade will bring us peace and pleasure? Will we continue to look at strangers on the street as friendly folks to exchange hellos with, rather than potential threats to our safety?
The repercussions of last week’s violence will be felt for many days, weeks and months to come.
But we urge everyone to remember that we are still neighbours. We are still connected by the shared bond of being part of the fabric of life in White Rock. Let us not allow these crimes to shake us out of being the supportive, involved, engaged community that we have always been.
Let us continue to be there for each other in ways large and small: smiling at each other on the street; patronizing local businesses; reaching out when we see anyone, anywhere in need of help.
We are White Rock — and no one can take that away from us.