Pubdate: Thu, 18 Aug 2011
Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.mrtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372
Author: John McKenzie

GANGS INFESTING OUR LIVES

Dear Editor,

I read your editorial comment on gangs [Gangs ruin a nice, quiet year, Aug.

16, TIMES]. Very well put and maybe a wake-up call for all.

When these criminal organizations are laying low, and it is usually 
because they are having to re-group and reorganize their operations, 
it by no means signifies that they have given up.

Politicians have to get their heads out of the clouds and realize 
that we do have a major problem with gangs and drug dealing in our 
neighbourhoods.

Looking through rose-coloured glasses and trying to gloss over things 
is not helpful.

Just look at what we witnessed two weeks ago with a meth lab on 224th 
Street, right under our noses.

Police have got to up their intelligence and enforcement to combat 
these criminal syndicates, which are becoming international in scope 
and increasingly violent in nature.

Wake up folks and realize the gravity of what is plaguing our 
communities before it gets out of hand.

John McKenzie,

Maple Ridge

[John McKenzie previously declared his intent to run for Maple Ridge 
council in this November's municipal election]
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom