Pubdate: Sat, 14 May 2005 Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON) Copyright: 2005 Osprey Media Group Inc Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169 Author: Terri Saunders Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) YOUTH CRIME RATES SOARING Youth crime in the city has increased at an alarming rate in recent years, and officials are blaming the rise on drug and alcohol abuse. "What's most disturbing about these increases is the indications we have that drug and alcohol abuse is on the rise among youth," said Blake Paquin, media relations spokesperson for the Cornwall Community Police Service Friday. "When officers are conducting investigations into these crimes, more and more they're identifying drug and alcohol use as contributing factors." Combating youth crime is one of the focuses of Police Week which kicks off Sunday. The youngest members of the community are at the forefront of a two-year strategic plan put together by the police force last year after a series of town hall meetings. "We met with hundreds of people from the community, and they all said the same thing," said Chief Dan Parkinson. "The number one issue when it comes to policing is what's happening with our youth." Parkinson said a number of strategies have been put in place to bring the numbers down from the dramatic highs where they currently sit. "In our business plan, we highlighted what we called our four pillars of policing," he said. "Youth is number one, and is at the top of our agenda." The number of crimes attributed annually to people under the age of 18 has dramatically jumped to 830 in 2004 from 242 in 2002. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom