Central Okanagan parents can learn how to keep their kids out of a gang

KELOWNA – A special 90-minute course for Central Okanagan parents will help them become more gang aware and pick up on signs their children may be involved in such activity.

"This session is intended to give parents powerful tools to keep their children safe," Rob Fleming, Minister of Education, said in a news release. "We've heard too many tragic stories about current and former students who've suffered violence, injury, incarceration or even death as a result of gang activity in this province, which is why we're committed to ensuring young people have the supports they need to keep out of the gang life."

The course will be held Wednesday, May 22 at 6 p.m., at the Hollywood Road Education Centre, 1040 Hollywood Rd. No registration is required.

Speakers will talk about how gang members are recruiting and what attracts children and youth to the gang lifestyle, what gang membership entails and dispel some of the myths and realities. They will offer warning signs and steps parents can take if they think their child is involved in gang activity.

Kelowna is one of 12 B.C. cities identified by police and safety experts as being in need of such a course.

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