Against the backdrop of a playground at Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Parkinson Recreation Centre, the federal government has announced $6.9 million in funding for programs to help keep youth from joining gangs in the B.C. Interior.
Kelowna and Kamloops will receive $2 million, Penticton $1 million, Vernon $953,000, and Salmon Arm $828,000.
The announcement was made by Pam Damoff, parliamentary secretary to the minister of public safety and MP for Oakville North - Burlington.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 particularly pleased the focus here is going to be on young people, on education and reaching them in the schools,香蕉视频直播� said Damoff.
She was joined by Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming for the announcement.
The money is coming from the federal government香蕉视频直播檚 Building Safer Communities Fund.
香蕉视频直播淚 am pleased to share that we have a youth gang prevention and reduction strategy currently under development that is facilitating a regional partnership program through Central Okanagan Public Schools, the RCMP and the city of Kelowna,香蕉视频直播� said Dyas.
The program seeks to interrupt the pathways that can lead high-risk, vulnerable youth toward gun and gang involvement, he added.
READ MORE: City of Kelowna seeks to steer youth away from 香蕉视频直播榞ang life香蕉视频直播�
The City of Vernon expects to have a similar program in place by the summer.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e in the design stage now we香蕉视频直播檝e had confirmation of the funding,香蕉视频直播� said Mayor Cumming. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e been working over the last 60 days to finalize our programming.香蕉视频直播�
Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield said the announcement is a template on how communities can work together.
香蕉视频直播淚nstead of a one-size-fits-all solution, the federal government has provided resources and trusting each community to find answers that work for them. In Penticton, it has brought our agencies together and allowed us to develop some innovative ideas.香蕉视频直播�
The Building Safer Communities Fund will make a significant difference in Salmon Arm according to Mayor Alan Harrison.
香蕉视频直播淭hirteen community organizations have collaborated to co-create a solution to the local challenges for youth in Salmon Arm and area. This inter-agency, collective effort will target specific risk factors associated with gun and gang involvement and improve youth resilience and inclusivity in Salmon Arm and area.香蕉视频直播�
Damoff noted these types of programs are part of an overall approach in reducing gun crime and violence in B.C.
香蕉视频直播淚f we make it not cool to be involved with guns and give young people positive role models and positive social experiences, you香蕉视频直播檙e getting to the root of the problem by giving those kids the opportunity to avoid being involved in gangs or crime in the first place.香蕉视频直播�
READ MORE: Okanagan RCMP make 香蕉视频直播榖y far the largest and most significant drug and gun seizure香蕉视频直播�
READ MORE: Teams of cops, prosecutors, to target repeat violent offenders in B.C.: Farnworth
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.
