http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090319/bc_townhall_gang_090319/20090319?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/in-bid-to-quell-gang-violence-policing-orthodoxy-changes-gears/article2430685/page2/

The Video below is put out by "Alternatives to Violence" and takes place in an American Prison, awsome video.

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Jim Mandelin   Prevention is the Key!!
 Nothing is accomplished by blaming the police. They have a hard job and do exceptionally well given the circumstances. Gang violence is a scary thing for all involved and it should be a time of coming together as a society to find a solution. 
    This is why I go to schools to tell my story. Prevention is the most important starting point; otherwise we are just doing what the police do, bandaging. They can react only after a shooting or bombing occurs. They can investigate the incident and do their best to bring arrests but they cannot always read the mind of these gang members to predict when and where they will come out shooting. They are not magicians.
    So if we really and seriously start putting money into creating opportunities and healing for the children before they get recruited then we will go a long way to ending the flow of new gang members into the vortex of that lifestyle. It may even catch a lot of children from entering addictive lifestyles which inturn feeds the gang moneymaking machine and hence the attraction for many in that lifestyle.
    I don't see it as children are much of a priority with our governments. Exceptions do exist such as the United Way's focus to make kids 0 -6 and 6 - 12 years old as a TOP priority.  The Federal Governments, National Crime Prevention Centre strategy does put money towards some programs in some juristictions but far less than what is needed. These programs deal more with, "after the fact," after kids are in trouble . Until we as a society stand up and make children's suffering and needs whatever the source, child abuse,bullying which is rampant, poverty which is also rampant and make their plight a TOP priority, we will have what we have now, more people dying and more bandages. 
    `Thank you to the police for your efforts, my hat is off to you. Please check out my website at: www.jimmandelin.ca to see what I as one ex gang member, ex many things and now a contributing member of society is doing to try to help in a resolution. Stand up to child abuse, stand up to the bullying and start asking the real questions and stop blaming someone else. We all have the power to end these problems. I invite everyone that has not taken a stand to do so. Thanks in advance.