The illicit drug trade leads youth into the world of crime and gangs, reformed criminal says
Avoiding crime a choice, ex-con tells gangs forum
Martin Derbyshire
Staff Writer
YorkRegion.com
In an out of youth detention centres and jails from the age of nine until his mid-30s, Alan Fraser knows all about making the wrong choices.
This week he met with community leaders, politicians and police to help develop a strategy for the growing guns, gangs and youth violence issue in York.
"We have to be able to communicate with our children," he told the crowd of more than 100 at the York Regional Police community safety village during a guns, gangs and youth crime conference Tuesday.
"We need to be open to what they have to say."
Youth crime rates across the country have remained stable over the past few years, yet the public perceives a growing problem, Insp. Paul Pederson told the group.
Trends including an escalation in youth aggression, bullying, drug abuse, depression, anxiety and stress may be leading to the perception, he said.
Younger children and more girls are getting involved in crime and violence, which adds to the growing belief the problem is on the rise.
The emergence of violent video games and hip hop culture, which often glorify gangs and guns, may also be a factor.
"Far too many video games and songs promote guns, gangs and a violent lifestyle," Chief Armand La Barge said, adding the problem will not be solved by simply arresting more teenagers.
"We need a balanced approach, not just a law enforcement approach. We need to look at the root causes."
Michelle Dagnino, executive director of the Youth Action Network, agreed.
Getting youth involved in the community in a meaningful way is a good first step, she said.
"Youth have the desire to be heard and engaged in their own communities, but rarely have the opportunity," she said.
"If they feel connected to York Region, they will want to keep it a safe and healthy community."
Sober for 13 years, Mr. Fraser said drugs led him to a life of crime and violence and attacking drugs is the first step in tackling guns and gangs.
"Drugs are the scourge of our society," he said. "Drugs lead you there. Without drugs there's no gangs, no guns and no violence."
He also railed against lax sentences in the justice system and those who place the blame on certain ethnic groups.
"It's unfair," he said.
Approximately 32 per cent of York's population is younger than 23, yet less than 1 per cent are involved in gangs, intelligence unit Insp. Tom Carrique said.
"That means we are well positioned to tackle this issue head on before it gets out of control," Insp. Pederson added.
"We can make a difference, there is hope, we just have to give young people an opportunity."
Martin Derbyshire
Staff Writer
YorkRegion.com
In an out of youth detention centres and jails from the age of nine until his mid-30s, Alan Fraser knows all about making the wrong choices.
This week he met with community leaders, politicians and police to help develop a strategy for the growing guns, gangs and youth violence issue in York.
"We have to be able to communicate with our children," he told the crowd of more than 100 at the York Regional Police community safety village during a guns, gangs and youth crime conference Tuesday.
"We need to be open to what they have to say."
Youth crime rates across the country have remained stable over the past few years, yet the public perceives a growing problem, Insp. Paul Pederson told the group.
Trends including an escalation in youth aggression, bullying, drug abuse, depression, anxiety and stress may be leading to the perception, he said.
Younger children and more girls are getting involved in crime and violence, which adds to the growing belief the problem is on the rise.
The emergence of violent video games and hip hop culture, which often glorify gangs and guns, may also be a factor.
"Far too many video games and songs promote guns, gangs and a violent lifestyle," Chief Armand La Barge said, adding the problem will not be solved by simply arresting more teenagers.
"We need a balanced approach, not just a law enforcement approach. We need to look at the root causes."
Michelle Dagnino, executive director of the Youth Action Network, agreed.
Getting youth involved in the community in a meaningful way is a good first step, she said.
"Youth have the desire to be heard and engaged in their own communities, but rarely have the opportunity," she said.
"If they feel connected to York Region, they will want to keep it a safe and healthy community."
Sober for 13 years, Mr. Fraser said drugs led him to a life of crime and violence and attacking drugs is the first step in tackling guns and gangs.
"Drugs are the scourge of our society," he said. "Drugs lead you there. Without drugs there's no gangs, no guns and no violence."
He also railed against lax sentences in the justice system and those who place the blame on certain ethnic groups.
"It's unfair," he said.
Approximately 32 per cent of York's population is younger than 23, yet less than 1 per cent are involved in gangs, intelligence unit Insp. Tom Carrique said.
"That means we are well positioned to tackle this issue head on before it gets out of control," Insp. Pederson added.
"We can make a difference, there is hope, we just have to give young people an opportunity."
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