One of the presenters at Monday's anti-gang forum at Centennial High School
By Markham Hislop, with student-reporters Chelsea H. and Julia M. of Centennial High School
According to Calgary Police Service presenters at last night’s anti-gang forum in the theatre of Centennial High school, gangs are actively recruiting youth as young as 12 years old into the drug trade. About 120 people turned out to hear the grim tale of gang life that their children or grandchildren may be facing.
Garrett Swihart, a constable who works in the Youth At Rish Development (YARD) program, which intervenes to support youth at risk of joining gangs, told the audience that during the three years he spent as the officer attached to one Calgary high school he confiscated enough weapons to fill a large hockey duffel bag. Those weapons included several guns, brass knuckles, knives and clubs.
A prominent theme throughout the presentation by Cst. Swihart and his colleague from the Calgary Police gang unit, who asked not to be named, was that gang activity occurs throughout the city, even in seemly sleepy suburbs like the neighborhoods surrounding Centennial High.
Question period after the presentation was fairly lively. Most people wanted to know how to recognize gang activity and what they should do about it.
Related posts:
- YARD (YOUTH AT RISK DEVELOPMENT) PROGRAM Linda Fox-Mellway, Ward 14 On August 20, 2009, the federal...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
