Abbotsford police are praising a local hip hop artist, who is addressing the violence plaguing one city neighbourhood.
Amrit Saggu, known under the stage name of Saint Soldier, created a tune called “A Stray” that was inspired by the ongoing violence in the Townline Hill neighbourhood, where a 74-year old grandfather was killed by a stray bullet in September.
“It was a really emotional time for many people in Abbotsford,” says Saggu. “Just an innocent being caught by one of those bullets. I was compelled to write a song to try to bring this to light.”
The video released on YouTube tells the story of a young man lured into gang life.
Abbotsford police say they’re impressed with the effort.
“It is a powerful message,” says Cst. Paul walker with Abbotsford Police. “You have a group of people in our community that sees the stuff that’s happening firsthand, they know people involved, they take their own initiative and create this video that speaks powerfully to the lifestyle that people enter and the consequences of it.”
Saint Soldier hopes the song spreads a message of hope and inspiration, adding he personally knew some of the gang members caught up in the Townline Hill conflict.
“We played together as kids and we went our separate ways,” says Saggu. “And now I am reading them in papers and it is really sad to see.”
— With files from Catherine Urquhart
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