How Surrey gangs recruit elementary school children

Surrey gangs recruit 10-year-olds to perform some of their most dangerous jobs, local authorities say.

According to an alarming report released Tuesday by the Mayor's Task Force on the Prevention of Gang Violence. the groups seduce the preadolescents on social media, most often with the intention of encouraging them to take drugs.

"These guys are not going to take the risk and do things themselves," said Jordan Buna, a former gang member who is now part of the task force.

"There is a reason why people between the ages of 20 and 25 or 30 … People push them to adopt this kind of behavior – because it is the most risky behavior possible." [19659005] And as Surrey is quickly becoming a popular place for young families, the report urges local and provincial government to: invest more in preventative measures and early intervention programs

"Youth in BC and Surrey have engaged in gangs at younger ages than ever before and showed anti-social and aggressive behavior at an even younger age, "says the report.

According to local RCMP figures, the average age of a gang member between 2014 and 2016, but the average age of their first criminal offense was 16 years old. On average, the same children saw their first school suspension at age 13

In response to the findings, the city of Surrey says that it doubles its resources "It's time to tell gangsters who want to operate in cities and throughout the province that the party is over, "said Mayor Linda Hepner on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Public Safety has announced additional funding of $ 1.12 million for the School-Based Bullying Awareness Program Expect Respect and Safe Education, or ERASE, with the goal of reducing the risk of school bullying. Improving Gang Prevention in the Province

"Programs that address circumstances that lead to gang involvement help to build positive community connections and a better way of life," said the Minister of Public Safety and Security. Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth

[19459007ParentsMaintainUnusualBehavior

The report cites "social alienation and peer rejection," especially during the transition from elementary to high school. high school, and the lack of a positive adult model.

Issues of cultural identity among first and second generation immigrants as well as individual behavior problems can also play an important role, the authors note.

Gangs can often take advantage of these vulnerabilities to glamor the perceived sense of power, belonging and wealth badociated with a life of crime.

Task Force Report Finds Children in Guildford, Newton, and City Officials say parents should be concerned about children who have abandoned old friendships and spend time with people in the community twenties and thirties or if their children spend a lot of time on social networks. "We have learned that if we do not reach the children – and I will call them children – in their elementary school years, then we miss the boat," said deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the United States Detachment. Surrey RCMP

The report comes just a day after the publication of a survey suggesting that 45% of Surrey residents were more concerned about crime than about other issues in their community. Half of respondents said they would be open to creating a municipal police force to help solve the problem.

In recent weeks, residents and local politicians have escalated their calls for new strategies to cope with an epidemic of armed violence in the city after three people without a criminal record were murdered in less than a month

The working group found that the crimes in British Columbia accounted for almost one-quarter of the increase in gang-related violence seen across Canada between 2015 and 2016.

There were 46 gang-related homicides in British Columbia. last year, the majority of them occurred in some of the largest cities in the province, including Surrey, Richmond, Abbotsford, Langley and Vancouver.

With records of St. John Alexander of CTV Vancouver and Canadian Press