STOP GANGS & DRUGS WITH STRONG CONTINUED COMMUNITY VIGILANCE

Evening Seminar Focuses On Prevention

Youth gangs don't exist in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, but they do
in the nearby municipalities of Surrey and Vancouver and they
traverse the community, according to Derrick Keist, who coordinates
crime prevention programs and volunteers for Ridge Meadows.

Keist is helping to put on a public education evening on gangs and
drugs on April 16 at Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall, which is also an
initiative of the Pitt Meadows Community Policing Committeee.

Parents, caregivers and teens as well as concerned community members
are encouraged to come listen to two RCMP officers who have long
careers observing the social and economic cost of drugs and gangs.

"Let's get a jump on it - let's get to work and educate your kids," Keist said.

Television and movies can make gangs look attractive - with expensive
cars and beautiful women - but reality is usually far from the bling
seen in shows, Keist said.

Rick Stewart, a drug and gang researcher with the RCMP, will be
talking about gangs, where they are and what to keep an eye out for
in the community.

Const. Donna Collins, drug awareness coordinator with the RCMP, has
been a police officer for 18 years and for the last three has been
working in drugs and crime awareness. She will give the latest
information about drugs, dealing also with the growing array of
chemical drugs on the streets. She'll also be talking about the
social and economic costs of drugs.

After the presentations, there will be time for discussion with the
two RCMP officers.

"Bring your questions," said Pitt Meadows councillor Deb Walters, who
belongs to the Pitt Meadows community policing committee. The forum
is open to anyone, she said, not just Pitt Meadows residents.

The community policing committee plans to hold other public
information meetings on topics such as Internet safety, and predators
targetting seniors.

The gangs and drugs public education evening will take place on
Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall at
12460 Harris Road.