Metro Vancouver, B.C. – Gang crime is a problem plaguing society. After years of research and collaboration between the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Acting Together – Community University Research Alliance (AT-CURA), various police agencies and community partners across British Columbia, prevention methods have been developed and implemented throughout the province to discourage youth from joining gangs and to inform parents and the public of warning signs.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC), in partnership with the AT-CURA Project (www.actingtogether.ca) and the South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence (SACCAYV) would like to announce the launch of a new handbook titled Understanding Youth and Gangs – A Parent Resource.
The Understanding Youth and Gangs booklet will be beneficial to parents by helping them to learn and recognize the signs of potential gang involvement in their children, how to prevent them from getting involved with gangs and to guide children back on a positive path and create resiliency.
The booklet is primarily meant to be a resource to parents and focuses on dial-a-doping as a main entry point for many youth who enter gangs or organized criminal activity. This booklet will prove valuable to police officers, teachers, community workers and others and will help them take the important first steps towards playing a significant role in understanding the issue of gangs and recognizing warning signs in youth and young adults.
While the first edition is English-only, future editions will include translation into several languages including: Punjabi, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic and others. By working with police and community partners, CFSEU-BC will be distributing the booklet throughout the province.
“It is often said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and this synergy between academia, the community, and police is a prime example of that,” said Sergeant Lindsey Houghton for the CFSEU-BC. “Police cannot fight gangs alone and this booklet will hopefully play a significant role in educating people about gangs, how to recognize warning signs that a youth may be getting involved in gangs and provide information on how to prevent young people from joining gangs.”
“Prevention is the key to combating gang crime in communities around the province,” said Dr. Gira Bhatt of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s AT-CURA Project. “Working in partnership with CFSEU-BC and SACCAYV, the AT-CURA Project research has been able to determine which factors prevent kids from involvement in violence, crimes and gangs, as well as develop a strength-based approached to address the issues of gang violence that affect communities throughout British Columbia.”
This booklet forms yet another component of CFSEU-BC’s growing gang prevention and public engagement efforts under the End Gang Life banner. In addition to the booklet, the End Gang Life gang prevention, awareness and public engagement campaign includes, but is not limited to, school presentations, television and radio public service announcements, posters, and attendance at community forums.
For copies of the booklet, please contact your local police department, or email the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – BC at inquiries@cfseu.bc.ca. An electronic PDF version of the booklet can be found by visiting CFSEU-BC’s End Gang Life webpage: www.endganglife.ca.
For more information about KPU’s Acting Together, visit: actingtogether.ca.
In partnership with: Abbotsford Police Department, Canadian Border Services Agency, Central Saanich Police Service, Delta Police Department, New Westminster Police Department, Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia, Port Moody Police Department, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Saanich Police Department, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, Vancouver Police Department, Victoria Police Department, West Vancouver Police Department.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 124 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates citations and apprenticeships. Learn more at www.kpu.ca.
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KPU media contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist, KPU
t: 604.599.2883
c: 604.364.1288
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca
CFSEU-BC media spokesperson:
Sgt. Lindsey Houghton
Desk: 778.290.3099
Cell: 604.764.9085
CFSEU-BC communications strategist:
Geeta Reddy
Desk: 778.290.2873
Cell: 604.499.4199
For more KPU news:
@KPUmedia
kpu.ca/newsroom
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