Pubdate: Wed, 08 Apr 2009
Source: Prince George Free Press (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.pgfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2135
Author: Arthur Williams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

CRIME MONEY GOES TO FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

Prince George Community Policing will be using proceeds of crime 
seized by the province to educate youth at risk in the city about the 
dangers of drugs and gang involvement.

Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond announced a $17,500 grant 
Friday to Community Policing from the Civil Forfeiture Remediation 
and Crime Prevention program. Since May 2006, the Civil Forfeiture 
Act has allowed the B.C. Supreme Court to seize $5.6 million in 
property acquired through crime or to further criminal activity.

"The program will focus on a number of forums," Bond said. "This is 
about about trying to empower and bring value to youth."

Through The Right Stuff (TRST) Factor program, Community Policing 
will host a series of forums for youth about drug use, gang violence 
and Internet safety.

Community Policing co-ordinator Linda Parker said the group will work 
with other community groups already working with youth at risk to 
make sure the message gets to those who need it.

"The educational sessions will be about giving them alternative life 
choices. We want to empower them with positive life choices," Parker 
said. "The forums will really address some key youth issues."

In addition, the funding will be used to engage local youth to design 
and paint a mural in the 20th Avenue pedestrian underpass.

"Pedestrian tunnels are traditionally problematic. (But) public 
murals tend to remain untouched," she said. "We are hoping it will be 
left alone and make people feel safer."

Parker said they hope to involve area youth who use the pedestrian 
tunnel on a regular basis in the mural design.

Prince George RCMP Supt. Brenda Butterworth-Carr said that crime 
reduction strategies like TRST Factor are important for safe communities.

"I want to recognize what Community Policing brings to the 
community," she said. "It's such a huge part of policing and needs to 
be acknowledged."

Prince George Community Policing was one of 14 organizations to 
receive funding in the current round of grants. Over $1.3 million of 
the $5.6 million seized has been used for victim compensation and 
crime reduction projects.

"Additional financial support allows for additional opportunities to 
empower youth," DARE and BRAVE youth program coordinator Cst. Deb 
Medcke said. "What better way to use proceeds of crime than to prevent crime?"
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom