JOE CALENDINO SPEAKS TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS IN KELOWNA ABOUT THE DANGERS OF GANG LIFE

Kelowna parents were given advice at a public forum held last Wednesday on how to steer their kids away from potential criminal gang-related activities.

The guest speakers at the meeting, held at the Hollywood Education Centre, were Safer Schools Together trainers Kieron McConnell and Rob Rai, along with former full-patch Hells Angel Joe Calendino.

McConnell shared statistics and other information about organized crime in B.C., including the illegal drug trade and money laundering.

“This is a multi-billion dollar business for our province,” McConnell said.

He warned Kelowna parents to watch out for tattoos that say Independent Soldiers this summer.

“They like to come up here, they like to party,” he said of that particular gang.