Pubdate: Tue, 19 May 2009 Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PARENTS, TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN Their greatest crime was a distant connection to notorious players in the latest round of gang turf wars in the Fraser Valley. Four local boys - Ryan Richards, 19, Sean Murphy, 21, and high school boys Joseph Randay, 18, Dilsher Gill, just 17, were shot dead for having links to the infamous Bacon brothers and their Red Scorpion crime group. On Thursday, Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich and school officials took the unusual step to warn youth that they, too, could be targets if they get into the drug trade, on any level. The intent is not to cause alarm but rather to communicate some of our kids are at risk. It can start innocently enough with someone offering a kid a few quick bucks to make a delivery. But things can get out of control at lightning speed. In the 90's, the Lower Mainland witnessed the slaughter of dozens of young Indo-Canadian men, lured by promises of the drug trade - fame, money, women, respect. The players have changed, but the story is the same. The blood bath continues. Youth can be cruelly misled by hubris, and an unfailing belief that nothing bad will happen to them. Even in our comfortable corner of the world, that lie is sadly proven to be false. Parents, talk to your kids. Talk to your kids' friends. Talk to your kids' friends' parents. We know you're busy, but talk to them and get informed. Attend the gang information forums coming up in Abbotsford on May 27 and in Mission on May 28. Your kids may not like this kind of attention but now is not a time to be complacent. It is a matter of life or death. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D