Crime threatens every home and every neighbourhood in the city. Find out how every home and every neighbourhood can fight back even before it gets there.
The BC Crime Prevention Association (BCCPA) and the Prince George Community Policing Centre (PGCPC) are joining forces to build walls against local criminal activity "From the Ground Up." A set of guest speakers and workshops have been set up to share information and show everyday residents how to ward off the elements of crime.
"Everybody in the community has some ability to contribute - to do something to prevent crime," said PGCPC spokeswoman Linda Parker. "We designed the whole symposium to have a broad appeal, so there is something in there, we hope, that will fit just about everyone. There is something to appeal to you, so you have more information about how you can do things to help everyone. We are all impacted by crime, and we all have a part to play in stopping it, or slowing it down."
The keynote speaker is Keith Pattinson, known across Canada for his humour and insights. His speech is called "How We Can Give Our Children What They Need to Succeed In Life."
Other speakers are coming in for their specialized views but most presenters "are home-grown talent" said Parker.
Registration details
The Northern Crime Prevention Symposium -- From The Ground Up
April 16 (7:30 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. opening)
Ramada Hotel
Register online: www.bccpa.org
Register by phone: 250-561-3319
Cost: $60 for a full day of workshops and presentations (lunch provided)
A presentation of the...
BC Crime Prevention Association
Prince George Community Policing Centre
Prince George Community Assessment and Action Network
Pushing crime prevention buttons
- Keith Pattinson, keynote speaker: "How We Can Give Our Children What They Need to Succeed In Life."
You will learn about research results that identified 40 concrete "Developmental Assets" that have a tremendous influence on young people's lives.
- Krista Levar of RCMP Victim Services: "Critical Incident Stress Management and The Healing Process."
Explore the often devastating effects that victims of crime and trauma experience.
- RCMP Cpl. Carissa Hornoi of Prince George Community Policing Centre: "Gangs - The Truth and What You Need To Know."
It is not enough to tell youth that gang life is a bad choice. In addition to real-life Prince George gang stories, this presentation also includes young actors from Street Spirits, a local youth-driven, social action theatre company.
- Jolene Paquette, an experiential youth who now tells her firsthand stories to at-risk youth.
Jolene's presentation will focus on her history, how she became involved in crime as a young teen, how she comes from a criminally, gang-involved family, and how she managed to stay out of that lifestyle.
- Tessa Fraser on "Healthy Body/Healthy Mind - Body Image from a Youth Perspective."
See some thought provoking images that are commonly found in our society and will consider each image quietly. Images that effect all walks of life. Participants will consider what do these images say about age, sex, health, strength, beauty, etc.
- LUNCHEON SPEAKER: Kristina Copeland, City of Vancouver Engineering
Services on combating graffiti.
Kristina will speak in detail about the motivating factors behind graffiti vandalism, and the
risks associated with the behaviour. Learn about three community-driven programs that reduce
graffiti, beautify and build community, and provide pro-social means for young graffiti writers to
express themselves while building their self esteem.
- Morgan Jamieson, Executive Director, Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society on how
restorative justice brings together the victim of the crime, the offender and ideally members of the community. The goal is to "restore" the relationship, fix the damage that has been done and prevent further crimes from occurring.
- Guy Gusdal, Manager of Bylaw Services (City of Prince George) and RCMP Cpl Kent MacNeill of the Downtown Enforcement Unit on "Shutting Down Illegal Operations."
Curtains always drawn; vehicles coming and going at all hours; strange odors; elaborate security
system; sound familiar? Learn how the RCMP and Bylaw work together to keep neighbourhoods safe and how illegal operations can erode a community.
- Wendy Moore, of the Prince George Community Policing Centre and chairperson of the city's Advisory Design Panel: "Design Out Crime - Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design."
Did you know there is a proven direct relationship between the built environment, our fear of crime, and the opportunity for crime to occur? We have the ability to solve crime-related problems before they exist by designing the physical environment to eliminate or reduce the opportunity for crime.
- PANEL DISCUSSION with Diane Nakamura (Communities Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth), Catharine Kendall (Community Assessment Action Network) and Aboriginal elder Frank Frederick.
- Colleen Staresina, president of Block Watch Society of BC and Crime Prevention Program Co-ordinator for Surrey: "Safe Communities - Evolution of Block Watch"
- Dave Dickson - Community Policing Co-ordinator, Director of Emergency Social Services and Safer Communities Co-ordinator in Williams Lake.
In 2008, Williams Lake was plagued with a number of armed robberies, an increased number of auto thefts, residential and commercial break and enters, in addition to other violent crimes. Find out how they turned it around.
- RCMP Special Const. Fred Greene on "The Latest Frauds & Scams - Staying One Step Ahead."
- Krista Morrison, award-winning experiental youth. Hear how she became involved in crime as a young teen, how it followed her into adulthood and what it took for her to exit the lifestyle.
