Is enough being done to stop BC gang expansion?
Posted March 11, 2014 4:31 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A local expert doesn’t think enough is being done to make sure kids aren’t getting sucked into the gang scene. It comes after another deadly shooting Monday night in Vancouver.
Author and Speaker Ranj Dhaliwal says recruiting starts in the early high school years.
“The ones that are already in it at 17 or 18 years old, there’s nothing we can do for them. They’ve already made their decision and hopefully they don’t make too many enemies or commit serious crimes and maybe one day they can open their own eyes. The younger ones we can focus on right from the ages of 10 or 11 years old. Because once they hit 12 or 13, that’s when kids are starting to sell marijuana and drugs in schools,” explains Dhaliwal.
The victim of this latest shooting is 29-year-old Tejinder Singh “Tee” Malli. Dhaliwal says he moved from gang to gang and that can be cause for concern because most groups take loyalty very seriously.
He says when someone dies it only makes room for someone else so killing people off doesn’t mean the scene will stop expanding.
“I think we’re going to see more gang activity in British Columbia like we see in Ontario and one day the way we’re developing, these organized crime groups are going to insulate themselves with smaller gangs,” says Dhaliwal.
The author wants to see more role models and people with real experiences in the schools helping to educate kids.
“The way gangsters look at it is these high school kids…they’re disposable. And the high school kids look up to these guys that have flashy cars, a lot of money and the girls,” he adds.
Vancouver Police don’t think there’s an ongoing concern in regards to public safety after this shooting. “This one last night is very alarming considering it happened on a busy street that has a high population density in the area as well as a number of restaurants. It’s something we will be paying attention to,” explains Sgt. Randy Fincham.
The officer says they’ll be continuing things like bar and restaurant watch which are meant to make gangsters feel uncomfortable so they’ll go elsewhere to hang out.
