Council candidate Ken Hamaguchi wants Richmond residents to step up and commit to broad solutions to gang warfare.
This will take time, money and commitment, he said.
But this doesn’t mean just throwing money at the police; rather, there have to be a variety of strategies taken to address societal problems through education, training, financial assistance and better legislation, said Hamaguchi, who is currently a Richmond school trustee.
“The more angles that we take to try to solve the problem, the better off we’re going to be,” he added.
However, there is a tendency to look for a “quick solution,” and it’s easy to point out problems.
Hamaguchi is also calling on Richmond residents to step up and do their part, for example, encouraging their kids to take part in the DARE program at school or becoming a Block Watch volunteer.
Police can manage the problem, he added, but solutions have to involve all of society.
“The minute people stop trying, that’s when things get worse,” he said.
He pointed out, however, he’s not advocating for anyone to be a “hero” and physically step in to stop crime, but to commit to cooperating with the police to help manage the problem.
