Pubdate: Thu, 04 Dec 2003
Source: Kenora Daily Miner And News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Kenora Daily Miner and News
Contact:  http://www.bowesnet.com/dailyminer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/855
Author: Janet Gibson

STEPPING UP THE FIGHT IN KENORA

The Kenora Police Services Board is poised to step up the fight against 
gang activity in Kenora. At the board's regular meeting Wednesday, Mayor 
Dave Canfield said their anti-gang activities should go to "Stage Two" in 
the form of a public awareness campaign.

"Let's pick a community partner and push it up one extra step," Canfield said.

Board chairman Gord McTaggart agreed.

"The mayor is right," McTaggart said. "Let's take it to the next level. 
There was a huge turnout for the speaker on bullying."

To date, the three police forces in Kenora - Kenora Police Service, the OPP 
and Treaty 3 - each have assigned a member to examine the problem.

Also on the case is the Tri-Force/Kenora Joint Forces Drug Unit comprised 
of members of Kenora Police Service, the OPP and the RCMP. The police 
services board thinks it's time to launch a public awareness campaign.

Ideas they tossed around Wednesday afternoon were a campaign similar to the 
seatbelt campaign and bringing in a speaker who has first-hand knowledge of 
the problem.

Kenora Police Chief George Curtis said when he was at university in the 
1960s and 1970s, singer Johnny Cash was brought in by the University of 
Manitoba speakers' union.

He said Cash, who had used every kind of illicit drug, engaged the students 
when he told them how he'd pulled himself out of the gutter.

"This isn't cops coming in to give you a speech," Curtis noted.

While the board hasn't yet identified a speaker, they suggested he or she 
should be accompanied on stage by drug experts.

While there has been some talk recently about the existence of youth gangs 
in Kenora, OPP Staff Sgt. Don Denver said he doesn't think the groups of 
youth are gangs in the traditional sense.

A seminar held in Kenora last April painted a picture for city council, 
educators and business people about Kenora's drug problem and its 
connection to biker gangs.

At the seminar, Kenora Police drug expert Const. Rheal Gosselin said 90 per 
cent of local robberies and break-ins can be tied to crack addicts.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens