Maybe...
written by dhood , August 16, 2008 (10:56:00 AM)

Kids join gangs because gangs fill a need to be recognized and accepted by their peers. Something they don't get at home. VALIDATION is the word I'm getting at. It's not just the drugs although that is what helps to numb the pain of not being wanted. They have their buddies to back them up. A primal need to be needed and loved. If you don't have love you quit caring for yourself as a person and quit caring about others. "Do unto others as they have done unto you." When they find love somewhere else they will quit the gang. In the meantime they are prey to those money hungry animals at the top of their "food" chain.

Hmmmm
written by White House , August 17, 2008 (09:15:46 AM)

As a parent I agree that you do have the right to tell your child they cannot work in an establishment because of safety concerns. Of all kinds. There are unsafe work environments for many reasons and not just the one you mentioned in your letter.

However, it is difficult for business owners to turn people away because of their affiliations as they turn into human rights issues. It is unfortunate, I agree, but there are laws which need to be considered. You may say it doesn't matter because quite obviously the gang members don't care about the laws, but two wrongs don't make a right, regardless.

We need more awareness of the supports in the community for the individuals who are at risk for this type of behavior and subsequent gang affiliations. As a volunteer in Prince George, I have first-hand knowledge of some people who were on the wrong track but found their way back before it was too late. To see how you can help make a positive impact on our community and bring awareness of the supports I am talking about, visit http://www.volunteerpg.com/ for more information and encourage your friends and family members to do the same.

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written by Reality , August 18, 2008 (08:49:43 AM)

Nice idea, however, I suspect that a manager of any establishment that attempts to ban a gang member would end up in trouble himself - and I'm not talking about human rights issues here. They carry guns. They don't care and they rule with violence. Do you think there were any witnesses who talked at any of the shootings? The last I heard was that "no one was talking". I wonder why? I'd like to think that I would be forthcoming, but I have to admit that I know there would be repercussions and I would likely think twice.

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written by AmberEN , August 19, 2008 (04:23:23 PM)

With how out of control these gangs are getting how many restaraunt owners or store owners are going to have the gull to tell a dangerous person they are not welcome when they MAKE themselves welcome? I mean its not a bad idea really its not...but with how many whitnesses are not talking when things hit the fan...whos going to tell a gang member they are not welcome in their restaraunts/stores? I wouldnt want to piss them off anymore then they may already be with whats going on in their world. They figure they own the streets...whos to tell them where they can and cannot go? I am not meaning that it isnt our right or anything as it is our right but they are not going to see it that way. I dont believe they would anyways. Anyone who can start shooting up the streets downtown in the middle of the day with the public walking around, has no regard to human life nor do they care what they do. They have guts to be able to pull that off...they dont care...why would they care to go and cause trouble (god forbid worse) to someone who turned them away because of their status on the streets? It sucks....I mean we should be able to stand up and say "Hey...you are not welcome here." But unfortunitaly we cannot...I do not believe that with these people we cannot stand up for ourselves in that manor. I would not be willing to try personally. Call me a chicken I dont give a damn...but I care too much for my life and the lives of others to piss people like that off. Someone that I know...*sighs* she is 18 years old got caught up with them. Pissed them off...spent days in one of those tourcher chambers in the basements of their houses. I'm sure you probably read about her in the paper by now. I dont believe they released her name. But they raped her...tourchered her and beat her for days because she pissed them off. No thanks...I'm not interested in that.

Ohhh ya,,,
written by Vogel , August 19, 2008 (06:15:07 PM)

En, i bet 2 bucks your friend did'nt show up at their door to sell them some girlguide cookies

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written by AmberEN , August 19, 2008 (09:06:01 PM)

Vogel....do you honestly believe that I am that retarded to think that happened to her for no good reason other then her minding her own damn business. Like seriously....I seen that kind of life through people I have known come on I am not that dumb.....I know exactally why she was in that position but was using it as an example as to how these people have little care for what they do to people who piss them off. So how abouts I give you my address so you can come give me that 2 bucks....I dont like people who back out on bets.....