Parents Unite to Stop Random Violence: Urgent Plea for Safer Communities
A group of concerned parents in Port Coquitlam has come together to address the growing issue of random violence, seeking ways to make their communities safer for everyone. The catalyst for their action was a series of disturbing incidents that targeted innocent youths. One mother, whom we will refer to as Beth, recounts the horrifying experience her preteen daughter endured when she was brutally beaten by a group of attackers. The assault, captured on video, left the young girl bloodied, bruised, and traumatized.
Beth emphasizes that this is not an isolated incident, expressing concern that such violence is occurring throughout the community for various reasons. Another mother, whom we will call Denise, shares a similar story of her son being attacked while fishing at the Coquitlam River in the same park. Shockingly, Denise recognized the same assailants from videos of the assault on Beth’s daughter.
According to the parents involved, these incidents appear to be the work of a consistent group of youths seeking notoriety and attempting to emulate a gangster lifestyle. They record and share these acts of violence on social media, hoping to gain fame and popularity. Disturbed by the recurring attacks, several parents established Tri-Cities Safe Streets, an organization committed to creating safer neighborhoods.
To draw attention to their cause, the concerned parents launched a petition that has already amassed over a thousand signatures. The petition outlines various measures that local authorities, school districts, and the police can undertake to address the issue. Some of the proposed actions include bolstering police presence, installing emergency phones, expanding educational programs to dissuade youth from engaging in gang activities, focusing on mentorship and outreach initiatives for young people, and enhancing surveillance efforts.
Beth emphasizes that the aim of these measures is not to punish the perpetrators but rather to provide them with support so they can lead successful lives as responsible members of society. Tri-Cities Safe Streets hopes that their petition will not go unanswered and aims to secure a meeting with the mayors of the three Tri-Cities. Their fear is that if immediate action is not taken, it is only a matter of time before someone becomes severely disabled or even loses their life.
CTV News reached out to the Tri-Cities mayors and the Coquitlam RCMP for their response, but many did not provide comments within the deadline. One mayor was unavailable due to being away. Nevertheless, the parents involved in Tri-Cities Safe Streets are steadfast in their pursuit of a safer community and remain hopeful that their concerns will be taken seriously.
In conclusion, concerned parents in Port Coquitlam have united to combat the escalating threat of random violence in their neighborhoods. By passionately advocating for increased safety measures, education, and support systems, they seek to eradicate this issue at its roots. The urgency of their plea should not be dismissed, as the consequences of inaction could be dire. The parents are resolute in their mission and eagerly await a meeting with the Tri-Cities mayors to discuss their concerns and work towards a safer future.
