Editor:
A safer Surrey? Possibly.
Richmond, Calif. was one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S., with a high homicide rate and excessive street crime. Evidently, in Richmond, city officials have implemented a successful program to reduce the violence, without the high cost of hiring additional officers. The city, according to U.S. media, pays at-risk young men enrolled in a mentorship program a monthly stipend for positive behaviour – such as anger-management therapy and job training.
Perhaps if the City of Surrey adopted a similar program, it would have a dramatic affect to increase public safety.
Sylvia Lambert, White Rock
• • •
There are a number of issues surrounding the shootings in Surrey.
Firstly, Surrey is one of the biggest areas in North America, so many of us throughout Surrey have no contact or experiences with any of it. Yes, we wonder why none of the Surrey councillors have said anything about it before the mayor finally had something to say (Get out of my city: mayor to shooters, April 8). They are all on the same slate and she is the boss and probably has tight reins on what they may say and when.
A lot of the problem hangs with the family members of these criminals and other people who keep quiet about their activities.
But what I feel is the most important issue about this whole thing is who are the criminals. If there weren’t any customers for the drugs there would be no reason for these gangs to exist.
Everyone who uses illegal drugs is as much to blame and are criminals themselves. These people could even be suppliers to terrorists, because many terrorists depend on the North American or worldwide use of drugs to finance the supply of arms and bomb-making materials, etc.
Wouldn’t it be terrible to think that it was because of your use of illegal drugs that you contributed to the bombing of the Trade Center or killing or maiming of our troops with incendiary devices, etc.
Let’s put the blame in the right places and take a look in the mirror.
Brian Lauder, Surrey