Officials respond to Tri-Cities parents' concerns about youth violence
A group of parents in the Tri-Cities has taken matters into their own hands after their children were randomly attacked by other youths.
They formed a group called Safe Streets Tri-Cities and started a petition, calling on the three local mayors to respond to the alarming trend of violence perpetrated by youths.
“It concerns me as the mayor; it concerns me as a parent,” said Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West.
He said the city is taking matters seriously and doing all it can to encourage young people to go on the right path.
“We have a very robust Youth Outreach Program. We have tons of programs to engage young people,” he explained. “We took steps recently to remove financial barriers to ensure that all of our residents, including young people, can fully participate in the wide range of recreation programming.”
West calls on representatives from other levels of government to also take action.
“The other levels of government need to step up to ensure that there is police resources, that there is accountability in the criminal justice system when someone is violent and hurts someone that that person is held accountable,” he said.
MOUNTIES INCREASE PATROLS
Coquitlam RCMP, which polices Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, said it is continuing to work with offenders and their guardians, along with external partners, such as the local school district, youth Crown counsel and youth probation.
"We take any report of violence seriously, especially when it may involve a young person,” said Cpl. Alexa Hodgins, media relations officer with the Coquitlam RCMP, in an email.
“Our youth officers are actively engaged with our community partners to ensure that the victims remain supported while the offenders are held accountable for their actions."
They say officers have also increased patrols in areas frequented by youth known to police.
Since the incidents involve minors, police cannot provide their identities.
However, they do share that some of the assaults involve the same individuals. Not all of the cases are related, and some are isolated incidents, police said.
Safe Streets Tri-Cities will be meeting with the three local mayors later this month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.