ABBOTSFORD POLICE LAUNCH LATEST 'OPERATION'

Abbotsford Police Sgt. Mike Novakowski had just finished speaking to a
gathering of middle school kids about the dangers of the gangster
lifestyle when he was approached by a student with a vital message.

"I want to stop doing drugs. I want to give you the number of my drug
dealer," the boy told Novakowski.

The student had the number memorized, and Novakowski wrote it down. He
passed it on to the Abbotsford Police Department's (APD) "beats and
bikes" squad.

An officer called the number, posing as a buyer, and the dealer
provided the time and location for a meeting - in the middle of the
day adjacent to a school where children were gathered in the playground.

Two women were arrested and charged. They had in their possession
cash, cellphones and about 100 pre-packaged marijuana baggies. Both
had children of their own.

The story demonstrates that some of the APD's anti-gang messaging is
getting through to youth. It also shows there is more work to be done
- - with parents.

With that in mind, the department has launched its latest poster
campaign, called Operation Lodestar. It is the fourth in a series of
initiatives aimed at steering kids away from a life of crime.

The series was created and developed by Novakowski. It began last year
with Operation Impact, a one-hour presentation in high schools which
later expanded to include middle schools. A total of 12,000 students
attended the program.

Its partner campaign, Operation Tarnish, involved the release of 13
posters focusing on the negative aspects of belonging to a gang.

The Operation Veritas video series followed with similar messages to
kids.

APD Const. Ian MacDonald said the logical next step was to focus on
moms and dads.

"The kids have an opportunity to be influenced by someone in their
house who really loves them - their parents."

The first two Operation Lodestar posters feature a young boy dressed
as a gangster, complete with a gun tucked into the waistband of his
pants, and as a convict in orange prison garb. The message at the top
of each poster is: "When I grow up, I want to be just like Daddy."

MacDonald said the posters are designed to be edgy and provocative, as
a means of generating discussion.

Novakowski said some people might be uncomfortable with the images and
feel that blame is being placed on parents, but that's not the goal.

"All we want people to do is think about the issues," he
said.

A fact sheet draws on student statistics, including those from an
Abbotsford school district "developmental assets" survey conducted
last year. Among the figures cited is that only 25 per cent of
Abbotsford students said they had parents and other adults who
modelled positive, responsible behaviour.

Also as part of the campaign, public forums will be held, but no dates
have yet been scheduled.

To view the fact sheet and download the posters, visit www.abbypd.ca