Province provides $674,000 in effort to keep Abbotsford kids on right track
Big help, but still less than small towns
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews announced $674,474 in funding over three years for Abbotsford youth crime prevention - targeting South-Asian youth in particular - during a press conference at Abbotsford Community Services Friday afternoon.
But is it enough?
Abbotsford's funding amount is about $768,000 less than what Kamloops is getting ($1,443,270), $1.75 million less than what Smithers is receiving ($2, 419,029) and $1.98 million less than what Agassiz will see ($2,662,038) for similar initiatives.
"We are offering at-risk youth life skills to help them make smart choices and avoid involvement in criminal activity," Toews said.
"This announcement clearly demonstrates our government's ongoing efforts to make our streets safe."
The project, which will be implemented through Abbotsford Community Services, will work to prevent and reduce gang involvement and associated criminal activity among youth, with priority groups identified as South Asian youth, the street entrenched and the homeless.
Sgt. Shinder Kirk of the RCMP Integrated Gang Task Force said targeting the South Asian population for gang involvement in Abbotsford is merely a reflection of the area's large Indo-Canadian community.
"Regardless of your ethnic background, youth are vulnerable. Do [South Asians] have different risk factors from a cultural perspective?
"That could be argued yes and no," Kirk said.
Manpreet Grewal, manager of Multicultural and Immigrant Services at Abbotsford Community Services, while appreciative of the funding, noted the three other communities are receiving double and triple the funding for their projects.
"Crime prevention is not an easy task," she said.
"I was curious about the discrepancy, especially since we're called the 'Murder capital of Canada.'"
Abbotsford Police Department officials would not comment on whether the amount was adequate to combat the gang threat to at-risk youth, since community organizations were receiving the money.
APD Chief Constable Bob Rich said Abbotsford's title is unfortunate and stems from two years of deadly gang turf wars.
The city is facing significant challenges in the area of youth recruitment, Rich said, because gangs are looking to replenish thinning ranks following months of arrests that have depleted their numbers.
"[This funding] is recognition that we have a gang problem here . . . we really do need help in that area.
"Long-term answers are going to be about helping the kids not to make those choices," he said.
"The entire community needs to rise up and mentor the kids who are at risk. Bringing the money to this group [community services] will make a difference."
A spokesperson for the federal government explained the other communities will receive more money because those cities have large surrounding areas, unlike Abbotsford, and their funding amount is spread over five years.
"I do understand the challenges of outlying areas," Grewal said. "I'd hope we could be part of a five-year strategy.
"Crime prevention issues are measured over the long term. Hopefully they'll look at Abbotsford's needs."
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