Canada invests $2 million in new anti-gang program

The GangBusters project will focus on addressing risk factors such as aggression, problem behaviour at school, inadequate or abusive parenting, gang-involved relatives, and disenfranchised youth.

SCARBOROUGH, Ontario, July 16, 2010 -- Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Public Safety Minister, announced an investment of over $2 million to support a crime prevention project entitled GangBusters at the Agincourt Community Services Association.

"Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is committed to preventing crime and building stronger communities," said Minister Toews. "Today's announcement clearly demonstrates our efforts to reduce crime and make our streets safe. Our support will have a direct impact in the lives of Toronto youth, and will help them make smart choices and avoid involvement in criminal activity."

Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS), the Government of Canada is providing $2,011,566 over three years to the Agincourt Community Services Association for the GangBusters crime prevention project.

This project will work with youth aged 13-17 who are at risk of joining gangs or getting involved with gangs. It will focus on addressing risk factors such as aggression, problem behaviour at school, inadequate or abusive parenting, gang-involved relatives, and disenfranchised youth. This project will also provide resources to the youth's parents/guardians to help with gang prevention efforts.

About the National Crime Prevention Strategy:

The NCPS is administered by Public Safety Canada. The strategy provides funding support to selected projects that help prevent crime and increase knowledge about what works in crime prevention. The NCPS's priorities are:

• addressing early risk factors among vulnerable children, youth and young adults;
  
  
• preventing recidivism among high-risk offenders;
  
  
• fostering crime prevention in Aboriginal and Northern communities; and
  
  
• preventing youth gang and drug-related crime.

For more information, please visit http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca

Contacts:
Public Safety Canada
Media Relations
613-991-0657