Native Gang Activity Prevalent In Saskatchewan

Native Gang Activity Prevalent In Saskatchewan

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 14:08

 

 

It appears the problem of Aboriginal youth getting caught up in gangs is growing throughout the province.

 

Yesterday, a joint task force of law agencies released a report stating that Saskatchewan has the most young people involved in gangs on a per capita basis.

 

The report says 1,500 First Nations and Metis residents are members of 12 different gangs.

 

It concludes the problem first began inside correctional facilities in the province, but has blossomed into a multi-area concern.

 

Sergeant Bob Bazin of the Canadian Intelligence Service of Saskatchewan says gang activity has been reported in the communities of Pelican Narrows, Stanley Mission, La Ronge and others.

 

However, what he finds most troubling is the range of activities that are being observed. Those crimes include theft, drug trafficking and pre-meditated violence.

 

Bazin says a growing trend in the gang world sees adult gangs using younger members to carry out certain tasks for them, and then later accepting them into their fold.

 

He says this arrangement acts as a sort of training model for young members, making them criminally experienced by the time they’re ready to drive.