STR8 UP gives report on preventing gangs during visit to NB

Jan 16, 2019 | 3:00 PM

Local residents had an opportunity to find out more about preventing gangs and helping youth leave them when STR8 UP visited North Battleford for a community meeting Tuesday.

STR8 UP was part of a panel group that included Pastor Sheldon Gattinger – a community liaison, and  Renee Sperling, of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords, the Battlefords Youth Network and the Youth Engagement Initiative, that took part in the presentation at the Don Ross Centre. About 80 people including professionals, teachers, parents and youth were among those in attendance. 

The aim of the event was to present the findings from the Building Healthier Communities report on community recommendations for the development of the Saskatchewan Prevention/Intervention Street Gang Strategy, by Robert Henry, a University of Calgary professor with expertise in criminology and justice. STR8 UP, the provincial government and many communities in Saskatchewan were involved in developing the report. 

Stan Tu’Inukuafe, co-founder of STR8 UP, said last summer representatives were present to ask the public for input into what they would like to see for a province-wide gang strategy.   

STR8 UP visited a number of communities in the province for this project, and is now presenting their findings.

“When we are looking at addressing gangs, communities are saying: gangs struggle with addiction; they need employment; they need education,” said Tu’Inukuafe.

He said young people who may be coming out of jail or looking for work may not have a lot of experience but do need employment. That’s why it’s important for businesses to work with them to give them the opportunity to contribute back to the community.

“The message is still the same – making someone feel they are valid in the community, and that they are part of the community, only makes the community stronger and safer,” Tu’Inukuafe said.

The next step will be identifying key stakeholders who can provide that support. Tu’Inukuafe added the community needs to look at how it can help vulnerable young people.

“My experience is when young people are joining gangs they are running away from something,” Tu’Inukuafe said. “The question becomes: Is throwing them in jail helping them heal from what they are running away from?”

Debbie Waskewitch, of STR8 UP, recommended parents ask themselves what they can do to help make their child’s home-life safe and supportive, so youth would be less likely to want to join a gang in the first place to find a sense of belonging.   

“Let them know that people do care,” she said.

Renee Sperling – program coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords, the co-chair of the Battlefords Youth Network, and an adult ally with the Youth Engagement Initiative – said she was pleased to see a number of youth also attend the forum.

“It’s a good starting point in a continued conversation within our community,” she said. “There is no one cookie-cutter version for this. There is a lot of work that still needs to be done in terms of community- based solutions.”

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow