ABBOTSFORD POLICE HOST LODESTAR FORUMS FOR PARENTS

Abbotsford Police are holding the first in a series of information
meetings for parents next Wednesday (Oct. 27) as part of the Operation
Lodestar initiative, the latest in a series of police programs
designed to keep kids away from drugs and gangs.

The session, for parents of students at Robert Bateman Secondary and
Clayburn Middle School, begins at 7 p.m. at Bateman school.

Const. Ian MacDonald said the series will include 12 sessions,
enabling police to invite parents of all local schools. One will be
open to the public and two will be conducted in both Punjabi and English.

Operation Lodestar was preceded by Operation Impact, Tarnish and
Veritas, which involved posters, videos and in-school presentations
aimed at students.

Lodestar is the first one to focus on parents. It is complemented by a
poster campaign featuring a young boy dressed in gangster and prison
attire accompanied by the slogan, "When I grow up, I want to be just
like Daddy."

MacDonald said the forums will help educate parents about drugs and
organized crime in the community and how they can steer their kids
away from that lifestyle.

Mayor George Peary, Police Chief Bob Rich, and Sgt. Mike Novakowski
will deliver the message.

Meanwhile, MacDonald said Operation Lodestar is receiving strong
support from the business and education communities.

The posters and fact sheets have been posted throughout the campuses
of University of the Fraser Valley, Columbia Bible College, Summit
Pacific College, and Sprott Shaw Community College.

MacDonald said this is a great way to get the message out to current
and future parents.

He said the program has also been supported by several local bars and
restaurants.

"Having the posters in bars, we want people to contemplate (the
issues) and we want to engage them in conversation."