Fighting gang recruitment in B.C. schools

It is a dark reality for students heading back to school in B.C., as parents are being warned to watch out for the signs of possible gang recruitment.

“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,” said Kathleen Hughes, career counsellor at Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS).

Metro Vancouver Crimestoppers is advising guardians that as the school year ramps back up, gangs are on the lookout to recruit new targets – preying on vulnerable kids. 

 Linda Annis is executive director at Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers and said, “often its youth that aren’t fitting in to other teams, kids that aren’t involved in sports, sometimes new Canadians – people are coming here, their parents are very busy working, and they don’t necessarily understand some of the Canadian norms – those kids are highly at risk.”

Groups like PICS are offering a multi-agency program dedicated to preventing youth gang violence, and say it’s important to watch out for warnings like unexplained flashy gifts.

“It is really important for families to be aware and watch for signs. Watch for things like where they are getting the money to buy those really nice pairs of sneakers and things like that,” said Hughes.

The sentiment is echoed by the KidsPlay Foundation. Its educational presentations from those with lived experience are helping to keep youth away from a dangerous lifestyle.

“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,” said Founder and CEO KidsPlay Youth Foundation, Kal Dosanjh.

Parents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to local police this school year – as groups like PICS and KidsPlay Foundation continue to work with youth on early prevention.

“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,” said Dosanjh.