Aboriginal youth from northern communities need to know about the potential dangers found in a larger city a local police officer says.
Thunder Bay Police Service Executive Officer Chris Adams and Det. Const. Larry Baxter presented a short film to the Thunder Bay Police Service Board meeting on Tuesday. The roughly 20 minute video highlighted some of the issues that First Nation students coming from northern communities may face. The video gave tips on how to take city transit, what to do when applying for jobs and what negative influences to watch out for.
Baxter, the former Aboriginal liaison for Thunder Bay Police, said while working with Aboriginal students at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School he found that there needed to be a better way to help transition students in northern communities to urban life.
"In the video we wanted to touch on the issues such as alcohol abuse, substance abuse and the stuff that I saw working in the liaison unit at the school," Baxter said. "I think it’s important to educate them before they come here because it plants a seed in their minds that there are going to be dangers out there as well as opportunities."
The video, which they began shooting in 2009 and wrapping up a month ago, also addressed issue around police and stereotyping Aboriginal youth. Baxter said it’s a human condition based on the experiences police and people have and only education can help to diminish it.
"Obviously, we can’t touch everything in a 20 minute video, but it at least it gives opportunity for discussion," he said.
Police Board Vice-Chair Debra Johnsen said it was a wonderful opportunity to show northern communities what it will be like to transition to a school in the city. She said it’s also a good way for the community and the police board to get a better understanding what the issues are relating to Aboriginal youth.
"I think (the video) will provide wonderful opportunities for them," Johnsen said.
The police board also gave an update on the recruitment of a new chief police. Johnsen said they put an ad out in the Globe and Mail and expected to have a short list of potential candidates sometime in May or early June. Police Chief Bob Herman is expected to retire in July.
Amy Siciliano, coordinator for the Crime Prevention Council gave the board an overview of the crime council and some of its notable achievements.
She said the recommendation to city council about not adopting the citywide youth curfew was a good example of how the crime council uses evidence-based policies.
"It was really exciting to see the debate in the community and the leadership city council showed in regonizing the importance of adopting evidence-based policies," Siciliano said.
The crime council still needs to create a strategic plan and a community safety plan, which Siciliano hopes to do by June.
