COMMUNITY-BASED CRIME PREVENTION

Youth Crime Statistics

· In 2007, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority reported that between January and October there were 2,181 incidents involving 792 youth between the ages of 13 and 17. This number indicates that several youth are involved in multiple incidents.

· In 2007, B.C. had the second-lowest youth crime rate, just behind Quebec (lowest) and a continuing a trend of declining youth crime and violent youth crime.

Community Crime Prevention

· The ministries of Children and Family Development, Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Attorney General are working together to develop an overall provincial community safety strategy, which encompasses the Ministry of Children and Family Development community-based crime prevention pilots.

· $1 million of annual provincial funding will be distributed for up to three years to support these pilot projects. Annual funding will be distributed equally between the five Ministry of Children and Family Development regions of Vancouver Coastal, Fraser, Vancouver Island, Interior, and North whose projects are currently in the development stage.

I-RAYL

· I-RAYL workers are integrated into the youth services of eight communities along the SkyTrain line (Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, and the Tri Cities) in an effort to connect or reconnect at-risk youth to the support resources in their home communities.

· I-RAYL workers have specialized skills and experience in several areas that often affect at-risk or vulnerable youth, including in: post traumatic stress, homeless youth, mental health, substance misuse, youth gang dynamics, family development, sexual exploitation, and more.

· I-RAYL workers will work afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts so they may connect with the target population. By meeting youth when and where they socialize, they hope to be able to successfully engage them with youth-friendly and engaging activities and resources.

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Contact:

Carolyn Heiman

Media Relations Manager

Ministry of Children and Family Development

250 356-1639

250 888-3545 (cell)




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