Editor:
Re: Teen killed in altercation, Dec. 16.
Alcohol doesn’t kill boys, arrogant savages do.
We are being told that the brutal murder of a 15-year-old was likely from a “liquor-fuelled altercation.” Incredibly, a scapegoat has been positively identified, even while the perpetrators remain at large.
Is there ever an age or a context that requires accountability? Too young, too old, too drunk. Bad parents, bad friends, bad day.
Alcohol doesn’t push blood-sport-seeking rats into a car. It doesn’t arm them with crowbars, or force them to overrun neighbourhoods. It doesn’t keep them from stepping forward after the crime. Those are conscious, well-informed decisions.
Our system already protects smug young animals from the threat of justice. But for God’s sake, let’s not start making excuses for them.
Erik Seiz, Surrey
• • •
Re: Surrey’s felt unsafe too long; Curfews need reconsideration, Dec. 18 letters.
How fast we all blame others when something goes wrong.
Our community lost two beautiful children in a matter of days, leaving most to say “why.” We can blame a lack of policing, blame the mayor, and say we should have curfews for kids. Do any of these things really have anything to do with what happened? No.
Nobody can predict when these things will happen or who will do it. If we did, we could end these things from ever happening. What a wonderful world we would live in, if we never had to see such sorrow.
Kids will always be kids. They will always test the boundaries. However, it’s our job as parents to guide them in the right direction and try our best do what is right.
For now, I shed a tear for the families of Teagan and Dario.
Their lives will never be the same, they will always miss them.
I. Hill, White Rock
