Somalis team up with cops to help stem killings

(Edmonton, Canada.  February 04,  2009 Ceegaag Online) 

 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."

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