CITIZENS WANT LESS TALK, MORE ANTI-CRIME ACTION

Anger over the recent gang activity, which has caught the full
attention of the province, mixed with a general concern about the
level of safety in Abbotsford's streets, spilled over during a public
crime forum at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on Monday night.

After Abbotsford Police Chief Const. Bob Rich gave the audience of
around 400 attendees an overview of police operations and a breakdown
of how they are dealing with the gangs in the city (in particular, the
now-notorious Bacon brothers), residents were given a chance to vent.

The feeling shared by the speakers was that of frustration, mixed in
some instances with hope that getting together to talk about the
problem might help.

Tony Smith, from the group Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)
talked about the idea of legalizing drugs to cut off the prevalence of
drug dealers, which he says could help stem the tide of gang violence
and in-fighting between the dealers.

Others who stood at the microphone simply shared their experiences
with crime in the city. Recent city council candidate Aeriol Alderking
talked about numerous knocks on her door at all hours of the night by
homeless people.

One woman, whom Alderking opened the door to at night, fell asleep on
her floor before the police came and took her to a shelter for the
night.

Abbotsford is not the same as it used to be, according to many of the
speakers.

"We ought to know who is living in our community," said resident Gerda
Peachey, to applause from the crowd.

While many appreciated the forum as an opportunity given by the city
and police to share concerns openly, resident Bob Loney was having
none of it. Loney said he has been a victim of crime a number of times.

"I'm getting sick of all the accolades tonight," said Loney. "The next
guy that comes in my home, the police can come and pick up his carcass."

An emotional part of the night came when Eileen Mohan-the mother of
Christopher Mohan, a young Surrey man who was killed in a gang-related
homicide involving innocent Abbotsford resident Ed Schellenberg in the
fall of 2007 - addressed the crowd.

Eileen said the forum "encourages her that [she doesn't] stand
alone."

The process of dealing with her son's death has shaken her faith in
the justice system, said Mohan.

"I believe criminals have more rights than ordinary people," she said
to strong applause from the crowd.