Surrey North Delta Leader, June 21, 2012

Page 1

Struggles continue S for Jays, Chiefs page 45

Arts 2012 opens this weekend page 36

Thursday June 21, 2012 12 Serving Surrey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com

String of robberies nets arrests; search is on for one more person

Anti-homophobia policy sought Group urges Surrey Board of Education to better protect students and staff

Eight charged in violent jewelry heists

by Sheila Reynolds FOR ANTHONY HOPE, it’s a no-brainer: the Surrey

“The biggest thing about it is not specifically the bullying but it’s the seclusion and the feeling that you’re worthless...”

by Kevin Diakiw

BRANDISHING HAMMERS and

machetes, the crooks doused a clerk in lighter fluid and made off with about $80,000 in merchandise from two pawn shops in Surrey and a jewelry store in Burnaby. Between May 22 and June 5 this year, a group robbed Super Pawn in North Surrey (May 22) and Roath’s Pawn Shop (May 31), stealing $50,000 in merchandise from the stores, and then hit Station Jewelers in Burnaby on June 5, where another $30,000 was in product was stolen. Police now say they have identiJeffery fied seven men Greenwood and a woman and have laid charges against those believed to be involved. All were charged with the Burnaby robbery, and one with the Surrey thefts, however, police expect more individuals will be charged with heists in both cities. See THEFTS / Page 3

School District needs to follow in the footsteps of other B.C. school districts and develop an antihomophobia policy. As an openly gay student, the 15-year-old has faced harassment and ridicule first hand. But when his friend committed suicide last fall, Hope knew he had to take action. “The biggest thing about it is not specifically the bullying but it’s the seclusion and the feeling that you’re worthless, you’re alone, that you’re invalidated, deliberated – a feeling of you’re the only one in the world and that nobody cares about you,” Hope says. He surveyed 2,500 students and drafted a set of recommendations to instigate change. Tonight (Thursday), he’s joining another Surrey student, a parent, and representatives from the Surrey Teachers’ Association and CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) to make a presentation to members Anthony Hope of the Surrey Board of Education, asking them to establish a standalone policy that specifically targets homophobia. So far, 18 other B.C. school districts have developed and approved such policies. Most include staff development and education, detailed complaint processes so issues are dealt with in a consistent manner, and measures to improve the understanding of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning) people and their positive contributions to society. Sechelt is the latest to adopt a targeted policy, but other districts include Chilliwack, Vancouver, , Nanaimo, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Comox Valley.

EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER

Grade 9 Johnston Heights Secondary student Anthony Hope is part of a group appearing before the Surrey Board of Education tonight to argue for a school district policy that specifically targets homophobia.

See MEETING / Page 11

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