Urgent Alert: Gangs Targeting B.C. Students for Recruitment

URGENT UPDATE: Authorities in British Columbia are sounding the alarm as students prepare to return to school. Parents are urged to be vigilant against the alarming trend of gang recruitment targeting youth as young as 13 years old.

According to Kathleen Hughes, a career counsellor at Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS), “Gangs target youth as young as 13, and probably even younger, but the 13-year-olds are starting to get involved, and so we need intervention.” This warning comes at a critical time, with the new school year just around the corner.

In a statement released earlier today, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers reported that gangs are actively seeking vulnerable children, particularly those who feel isolated or do not participate in sports. Linda Annis, Executive Director at Crime Stoppers, emphasized that “kids that aren’t fitting in to other teams, sometimes new Canadians—people are coming here, their parents are very busy working—those kids are highly at risk.”

PICS is launching a multi-agency program aimed at preventing youth gang violence, stressing the need for parents to recognize signs of gang involvement. “Watch for things like where they are getting the money to buy those really nice pairs of sneakers and things like that,” Hughes cautioned.

The KidsPlay Foundation is also stepping up efforts to keep youth away from gangs. Kal Dosanjh, Founder and CEO of the foundation, revealed that their educational programs feature insights from former gang members. “We had a very high-level gang member come in from California, and his exact words were that we recruit children that come from dysfunctional family backgrounds that we can mould and that are impressionable,” he stated.

Parents are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior to local police as the school year begins. Organizations like PICS and KidsPlay Foundation are working tirelessly to engage youth in positive activities. “Keeping kids engaged with positive and constructive outlets, such as sports and education, can have a direct impact in terms of keeping them out of drugs, gangs, and crime,” Dosanjh added.

As the situation develops, it is crucial for the community to unite and take proactive measures to safeguard the youth of B.C. Parents and guardians are urged to remain alert and informed as they navigate this urgent issue. The safety of children is at stake, and immediate action can make all the difference.