2 Late 4 Time Out In Winnetka

After settling down at my computer, morning tea in hand, the first thing I do is quickly scan my e-mail. Then I go to the L.A. Times Homicide Blog.

Like everyone, I was struck by the tragic February 7th homicide of an L.A.P.D. SWAT member as well as an entire family in Winnetka, California. I read "According to police, Edwin (age 20) has been identified as the suspected shooter in the killing of his father, Gerardo Rivera, 54, and two brothers, Endi Rivera, 25, and Edgar Rivera, 21."

"Winnetka," I thought aloud. I'm a Los Angeles native but, "Where in the heck is Winnetka?" So I Wikipediad "Winnetka" and learned that Winnetka is a 4.2-mile city in the San Fernando Valley, bordered by Canoga Park on the west, Woodland Hills on the south, Chatsworth to the north and Reseda to the east. Winnetka is pretty much a working class community where the median income is a little over $49,000 and the racial split is fairly even between Latinos and Caucasian, with a smattering of Asians, Blacks and Others.

The Winnetka website didn't reveal anything about the city, but I did learn that Winnetka used to be Weeks Poultry Farm before the San Fernando Valley sprawled after World War II.

Winnetka, a sleepy, middle class suburb, is now on the map by a horrific tragedy of unspeakable proportions. But we've got to speak about it; not in whispers, but we've got to scream!

Edwin Rivera, age 20, killed his father, his two brothers and a L.A.P.D. officer, before L.A.P.D. snipers took him out. I am convinced that it didn't need to happen!

Edwin, you see, could have been any body's child. Winnetka could have been any town across America. Edwin, you see, had problems in school, problems at home after his mom died eight years ago, and problems with dad's live-in girlfriend. I'm pretty sure that he had other problems, maybe with his other siblings, but by all accounts, even according to Law Enforcement, Edwin wasn't violent. Here's the background:

We'll never know the roots of Edwin's violent behavior, but we can all agree that Edwin was violent. Can we also agree that surely there were warning signs that Edwin had the potential for violence?

Far too many parents, family members, friends and colleagues don't want to interfere or get involved. Far too many of us--from whatever social class, race or educational background--ignore the signs until it's too late.

If you know a family that needs help, help them get the help they need. Get advice from renown educator, Millicent Hill, of Mama Hill's Help, Inc., expert gang intervention specialists, and help us build 2 Late 4 Time Out into the premiere resource for all things Juvenile Justice that will save families and save lives.