Northeast residents don’t see ‘solid change’ after rallying against gun violence

CALGARY (CityNews) – Community leaders say the sound of gunfire hasn’t stopped across the city’s northeast.

While city council is now paying attention, those in the northeast don’t want bureaucracy to get in the way of the groundwork to keep kids away from gangs and guns.

Following a shooting death on Saddlecrest Blvd. on Jan. 4, many residents of the area don’t believe a public safety task force being discussed at city hall is enough to stop the gunfire.

“Keeping committee after committee to review the policies, yes that is needed, but we really need to talk about where the drugs come from, how does it reach our kids in our schools,” said Kamalpreet Pandher.

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Pandher believes prevention starts at a young age and others worry about their kids falling into a life of crime.

“My daughter, she will be going to high school next year,” said Taradale resident Pawan Kathpal.

“Do we move to another area? Should we send her to another school? The high school in the northeast, it’s very good at studying, we don’t want to miss that. But what should we do of the environment?”

Pandher and others have been rallying northeast residents, pushing them to tell kids the dangers of being in gangs.

She said neighbours are doing all they can with the information they have.

“If people know something, they should come up. They’re not looking out their window, being a security guard all the time. Who’s walking away from my street? Who’s driving here? Who’s shooting here?”

Calgary police said they’re still looking for tips in the Jan. 4 murder of Gurinder Pal Singh Sekhon.