Post by Marks - the Earth's Sun on Apr 20, 2006 12:04:01 GMT -5
Regina kids learn to say no to gang recruiters
Last Updated Apr 18 2006 09:48 AM CDT
CBC News
Regina's aboriginal street gangs are busy looking for new recruits at this time of year, and children as young as eight are being asked to join.
Police and community groups are trying to teach youths not to get involved in gangs.
"I said no. And he said, 'Why not?' And I said, 'cause it's bad," said Jeremy McKay, 8, who said he had received a pitch from an older boy to join a gang.
Jeremy was one of about 50 inner-city children who have been attending a gang-prevention program at a local community centre.
During a recent session, the children acted out different scenarios, learning how to say no to gang members. They were quick to grasp that it's not always an easy thing to do.
"If you say no, they'll beat you up and if you say yes, they'll beat you up," said Cassidy McNab, 12.
Experts say Saskatchewan now has more than 1,300 young people involved in street gangs – more per capita than in any other province.
Aboriginal gang members are increasingly committing serious and violent crimes ranging from drug trafficking to assaults and shootings, according to the police group Criminal Intelligence Service Saskatchewan.
Police say gangs sometimes have minors commit crimes because they know younger children cannot be sent to jail.
Youths under 18 are subject to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, but children under 12 cannot be charged under the Criminal Code.
RCMP Insp. Corey Lerat said gangs try to pressure the most vulnerable to join their ranks.
"I think that they're easy prey, these gangs see that," Lerat said. "The lure of money if you do this or that is there. It's human nature to survive in some cases."
The Mounties have joined forces with local officers to develop a plan to protect children from being recruited. It's expected to be launched in the next few months.
Last Updated Apr 18 2006 09:48 AM CDT
CBC News
Regina's aboriginal street gangs are busy looking for new recruits at this time of year, and children as young as eight are being asked to join.
Police and community groups are trying to teach youths not to get involved in gangs.
"I said no. And he said, 'Why not?' And I said, 'cause it's bad," said Jeremy McKay, 8, who said he had received a pitch from an older boy to join a gang.
Jeremy was one of about 50 inner-city children who have been attending a gang-prevention program at a local community centre.
During a recent session, the children acted out different scenarios, learning how to say no to gang members. They were quick to grasp that it's not always an easy thing to do.
"If you say no, they'll beat you up and if you say yes, they'll beat you up," said Cassidy McNab, 12.
Experts say Saskatchewan now has more than 1,300 young people involved in street gangs – more per capita than in any other province.
Aboriginal gang members are increasingly committing serious and violent crimes ranging from drug trafficking to assaults and shootings, according to the police group Criminal Intelligence Service Saskatchewan.
Police say gangs sometimes have minors commit crimes because they know younger children cannot be sent to jail.
Youths under 18 are subject to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, but children under 12 cannot be charged under the Criminal Code.
RCMP Insp. Corey Lerat said gangs try to pressure the most vulnerable to join their ranks.
"I think that they're easy prey, these gangs see that," Lerat said. "The lure of money if you do this or that is there. It's human nature to survive in some cases."
The Mounties have joined forces with local officers to develop a plan to protect children from being recruited. It's expected to be launched in the next few months.