February 20, 2019
Province Announces Funding to Reduce Youth Crime in Thompson
THOMPSON—The Manitoba government is distributing nearly $450,000 through the Proceeds of Crime Fund to police agencies across Manitoba including an investment of nearly $50,000 to support programs to reduce youth crime in Thompson, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced here today.
“Our government is committed to keeping Manitobans safe and helping community leaders to create positive change,” Cullen said. “When we work together to focus on the needs of at-risk young people, we create opportunities for individuals and a stronger and safer community for all.”
Provincial funding will be co-ordinated through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment in Thompson. The RCMP will provide $25,500 to support the work of the Peace and Prevention Group, which launched in May 2018, and approximately $23,600 will be dedicated to bringing members of the StreetReach program to Thompson from Winnipeg.
“We are pleased to be receiving these funds that will go to support two very deserving youth programs here in Thompson,” said Insp. Brian Edmonds, officer in charge of the Thompson RCMP detachment. “This investment supports our youth and will help them make positive choices for bright futures.”
The Peace and Prevention Group was created by Thompson community leaders to help reduce youth crime and improve community safety. The group co-ordinates patrols, warm-up stations and free activities to connect with at-risk youth, and is making efforts to reach them through schools and shelters with the goal of preventing suicide.
Members of the Winnipeg-based StreetReach team will also receive support to travel to Thompson every two months to work with RCMP and identify at-risk and vulnerable youth. The team’s goal is to reduce the amount of time spent looking for missing children who are at risk of sexual exploitation or involved in high-risk behaviours, and help ensure they are returned to places of safety.
For more information about StreetReach, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/street_reach.html.
The province’s investment is part of Manitoba’s share of forfeited funds from federally prosecuted Criminal Code offences.
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