(RE: Feb. 13 report on local gang activity):
Oscar Muncia, Dennis Turner and David Remmem all made statements that essentially transfer the responsibility of gang members’ poor choices to our fair city allegedly because “we’re not providing something for them.”
Sirs, gang members are not 2-year-olds incapable of reasoning right from wrong. They know it is wrong to victimize other persons or property because they don’t like it happening to them and respond violently if such actions are perpetrated upon them. They hide their activities in darkness or victimize in groups (aka, cowardice) and run from police when they are near to being caught. All evidence that they know their activities are wrong and illegal.
Stop backhandedly blaming the community for the willful, harmful and illegal activities of gangs. It is their choice and it is inexcusable.
Federal Way has an abundance of “alternative options” for youth. Just ask the overwhelming majority of Federal Way youngsters who aren’t gang members. The Advancing Leadership Youth program is a notable alternative. The Federal Way Community Garden invites kids to participate. The Federal Way Symphony provides free tickets to students 18 and under. Of course, it isn’t going to be gangsta music, but it does provide a healthy alternative to gang activities. We have a great Boys and Girls Club. The library has all sorts of programs available. Of course, there is always applying oneself to one’s schoolwork instead of loitering around making trouble.
Practically every church in the city offers some kind of youth activities staffed by volunteers that care deeply about children and teens. Many also offer parenting education and support so that the youths learn about good choices from their own parents. For older teens, the military offers continuing education and the opportunity to become a person of honor and distinction. It’s all about choices and being accountable for your own decisions and actions, not whining that other people haven’t given you alternatives to your poor choices.
Instead of suggesting Federal Way citizens aren’t doing enough, perhaps Turner, Muncia and Remmem could endeavor to uncover the hidden wealth already in Federal Way — those kind people and organizations serving youth in the silence of humility. They could publicly invite local organizations, both secular and religious, to send in their youth opportunity information so a comprehensive list could be compiled. Such a list wouldn’t endorse any organization, but would simply inform and be made available to youths and parents.
I challenge The Mirror’s readers to send Turner, Muncia and Remmem the contact information for the organizations they, the readers, are involved in. Since I do not have contact information for these three gentlemen, I plan on sending my youth group’s information via teniels@cityoffederalway.com (listed as contact in the article) as soon as I sign this letter to the editor. Will you join me?
Harriet Cook, Federal Way
