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] - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom