Alex Masih was shot to death outside 2 Collins Cres. shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

He was one of a few dozen "regulars" who hang around the neighbourhood recreation centre at all hours of the night.

Although the shooting was unsettling, residents of the Williams Parkway East and Kennedy Road North community said they are not surprised given the growing number of teens loitering around the centre late at night.

Fights and robberies are not uncommon, and one recreation centre employee said the youths hanging outside the centre cause all kinds of problems.

"(The problems) were mild before but now it's getting worse. It's all getting out of hand," said the employee noting the situation has gotten so bad parents are scared to bring their kids to the centre for their karate lessons.

This is unfortunate on many levels.

Not only has this young kid lost his life but good, hardworking residents are being bullied in their own neighbourhood.

Also, this kind of behaviour manages to overshadow the many good things young people do to better our community.

And so the question is; are we doing enough?

A lot of effort has been put into engaging our young people including the establishment of community-based groups and programs.

But is this money well spent? Or are we merely throwing money at a problem that according to some residents is only getting worse in Brampton?

As a community we have to reach out to our youth and make sure we hear what they are saying.

But we also need to do what we must to ensure our communities are safe.

Perhaps it's time to start talking about imposing a mandatory curfew.