The Tribune

THE death of student Perry Louis in a stabbing yesterday is a tragedy that will resonate with every parent across the country.

Everyone with a child who went out to school will know the horror at the thought of that child not coming home, while students will have the shock of coming to classes tomorrow to discover a friend has gone forever.

As investigators begin to find out what happened in this latest incident, one thing is true: knife crime here is a challenge even greater than gun crime for police to tackle.

While much of the emphasis for police have been the high number of shootings – a number that thankfully has been coming down – knife crime is more difficult to deal with simply on account of the availability of knives. Guns can be more easily confiscated and removed, but any kitchen has potential weapons to be used for those wanting to commit knife crime.

While we do not know the circumstances of this latest fatal stabbing, we know that sometimes people will carry a knife as a sign of bravado, perhaps for show in a gang, and not understanding the reality of what might happen if they use it.

If someone stabs somebody else, they may not intend to kill them – but that is what can happen. A single stab wound can lead to someone bleeding to death, and the person holding the knife becomes a killer – and carrying a knife before an incident can show an intent. The person wielding the knife suddenly faces a long time behind bars – two lives shattered in an instant. More than that – for all the families and friends connected to each person.

Both in the schools and in our homes as parents, we must make children aware of the costs of knife crime – of the dangers that come with carrying a blade.

We hope the police will take the time to speak to students at CC Sweeting, where Perry Louis was a pupil, about what to do if faced with someone with a knife, how to protect themselves, how to get to safety. We hope officers also talk to those who might carry knives and encourage them to find a better way, before any situation might get out of hand.

We also hope lawmakers ensure they give police their ear, and see if there are any changes to the law that may be needed to help prevent knife crime. Knives are a tool, but is that the same for all knives? If people are found carrying one in circumstances where it is not needed, is that a matter where the law might intervene before it is used as a weapon rather than a tool?

As we say, it is a tougher situation than with gun crime – but this is a moment where we can reach out and try to educate about the consequences that may go with carrying a knife. If we can change just a few minds, it may save lives. For those of us who worry about our children out at school after tragedies such as yesterday’s, and for those who experienced that horror, we must rise to meet that challenge, and try to stop such things from happening again.