The goal of a Prince George Gang Summit being organized by the RCMP and The Prince George Citizen is to unify the community to deal with organized crime gangs operating in the city.
It's all about sharing knowledge and experience and coming up with a plan to make the gangs a part of our history.
Led by Community Policing, the two-day event Nov. 1 and 2 at Ramada Hotel is expected to include professionals, social agencies, service providers, law enforcement, stakeholders and the community at large to create community solutions to this city-wide issue, said RCMP superintendent Brenda Butterworth-Carr, Prince George Detachment.
"I am very excited to be partnering with Community Policing and the other businesses and organizations in Prince George to make this summit a reality," said Hugh Nicholson, publisher of The Citizen.
"The difficult decision to run the picture of Darren Munch's murder on Aug. 16 was part of a larger initiative, which is the Gang Summit.
"Wendy Moore at Community Policing has done an excellent job organizing this event, and I would strongly encourage the community to participate and not only become better educated about the gang situation in P.G., but more importantly what we as a community can do to address it."
The summit puts forward a full agenda.
**The morning of Nov. 1 will offer guest speakers RCMP Sgt. Shinder Kirk, Abbotsford police task force; Dr. Mark Totten, recognized expert in criminal gangs and youth crime; and B.C. Attorney General, Mike De Jong.
The afternoon is dedicated to workshops on such matters as gang recruitment and gang-related homicides.
On Monday evening, a free forum will be held for the public.
**The morning of Nov. 2 features guest speakers, RCMP Insp. Tim Shields from Vancouver, David Park, Justice Institute of B.C., and Kim Bolan from the Vancouver Sun.
The afternoon from 1:30 to 3 p.m. is the closing summary around the plan and recommendations.
Register online for the two-day summit or the free public forum at: http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/event/pggangcrimesummit.asp or at Prince George city hall.
The cost to attend the summit is $55, which includes lunch both days while the public evening forum is free.
"The City of Prince George is committed to engaging the community to look for solutions to the problem of gangs. We are looking to create successes and to showcase what can be accomplished," said Mayor Dan Rogers, City of Prince George.
For information regarding the Gang Crime Summit, contact Moore at Community Policing,
250-561-3385, e-mail: [email protected], or visit the Web at www.communitypolicing.princegeorge.ca
Community Policing supports citizens in achieving our common goals of safe homes, and safe communities through our police-supported educational programs and services. We provide crime prevention solutions; empowering citizens to make choices that foster safe, healthy and sustainable communities.
