Calgarians seek solutions to gang violence

While last month's shooting at the Muslim cemetery near Cochrane is still being investigated, members of Calgary's Pakistani community are trying to figure out what they can do to curb gang-related crimes.

Some concerned parents met with an officer from the guns and gangs unit Saturday.

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Asjad Bukharicallslast month's shooting at a Pakistani community funeral a wake-up call for manyespecially when police declared the violence targeted.

"We woke up with very different reality, that the problem exists within the community," Bukhari said.

Burhan Khan was less surprised.

He says he got a call about a year and a half ago from a father whose son had just died. He says the man told him "I do not want the community to know, but I want you to first make arrangements to send the body to Pakistan."

Khan says the man didn't want the death made public because his son was involved in drug crime and it would tarnish the family.

Calgary police Sgt. Jason Walker spoke to the group of a few dozen families.

He says gang and drug crime is spreading across all communities.

The best way to curb it, he says, is for people to get talking to each other, to their kids, and to police.

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