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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
It might take a village to raise a child - but it takes a community to
save one.
That's why local Somalis will gather Saturday to meet with city cops,
hoping to keep their children safe from violence that left four young
Somali men slain in Edmonton last year. A fifth was shot, but survived.
All had just moved here from Toronto.
This weekend, cops and community members will attempt to work toward a
solution, said a Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton spokesman.
"The upcoming information session is basically aimed at how our
community can work with the Edmonton Police Service in an attempt to
provide the community's youth with information pertaining to their
safety and academic progress," said Mohamed Abdi.
"We hope that we will reach out to youth members and speak to them about
how to focus on their goals and benefit their community and (Edmonton's)
wider community by urging the youth to stay focused on their academic
and career goals and stay away from troubled spots and ... illegal
activities."
Since last summer, four Somali men have been killed and cops said some
had gang- and drug-related histories.
It began with Mohamed Ali Ibrahim, who was shot and killed Aug. 24
outside the River Cree Resort and Casino. A month later, 22-year-old
Nasir Mohamed Said was found dead behind Balwin school. On Halloween
morning, 21-year-old Abas Akubar's body was discovered near 140 Avenue
and 92 Street. And on Dec. 2, Adul Kadir Mohamoud was found lying dead
in a field near 109 Street and 130 Avenue. Later that night, cops were
called to 148 Avenue and 89 Street, where they found Ahmed Mohammed
Abdirahman.
"This isn't just a Somali problem," said event speaker, Karen Erickson,
project manager for the Community Solution to Gang Violence. "It's a
community problem."
SOURCE: Edmonton Sun, Feb. 04, 2009
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