POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 133 Concerned young people are often involved in educating and helping their peers through peer mediation, peer counselling and drama troupes which discuss conflict resolution, multicultural relations and other concerns facing youth today. YOUTH POLICING YOUTH Young people are becoming involved in holding their peers accountable for their actions. For example, one community has established teen courts in which young people determine the penalties for the transgressions of other youth. Park patrols is another example. This involves young people patrolling recreational areas to prevent vandalism. They report vandalism and other potential problems to the police. 8.2 The Police The roles which the police assume in Canadian communities are numerous and diverse. They are involved in various prevention and law enforcement activities, including: SCHOOL RESOURCE/LIAISON OFFICER PROGRAMS Many police officers are in schools and serve as resource persons to students, parents, teachers and school board officials. Some school resource/liaison officers become directly involved in school life, participating in field trips and sports events. They help students develop programs such as Student Crime Stoppers and attempt to establish relationships with students who are seen as being involved in or at risk of becoming involved in youth violence and youth gang activity. POLICE/YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES One strategy which seems to be successful in reducing youth crime involves the police participating in sports leagues with youth at risk and youth from low-income neighbourhoods. SPECIALIZED UNITS Many police departments have developed specialized units, such as ethnic liaison units, street crime units, gang units and youth squads, to address specific youth issues such as street level crime, entrenched street youth, and youth gang activity POLICE YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS These programs have been piloted in several Ontario communities and in an aboriginal community in Quebec. Evaluations of these programs suggest that they were extremely positive in promoting greater harmony between the police and minority black and aboriginal youth. COMMUNITY POLICING A key police response to crime prevention has been the establishment of community-based policing units. Many police services have established neighbourhood police stations with community relations officers and foot patrols. The goal of community-based policing is to develop a better relationship between the police and the public, by making the police more accessible to the community. 8.3 Schools Many school boards have developed specific strategies in response to the apparent increase in violence in Canadian schools. These include: SAFER SCHOOLS POLICIES Most school boards have developed policies and procedures for dealing with violence in schools. Their goal is to create and maintain a safe, violence-free learning environment. THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTI-VIOLENCE CURRICULA Most educators agree that learning about violence and its prevention should begin as early as possible. As a result, many school boards have developed curricula for all grades. Curricula include units such as "Values, Influences, and Peers," "Lionsquest," "Second Step," and "Realities in a Changing World." Curricula on dating violence is also being introduced in both junior and senior high schools. School boards are also educating teachers on how to respond effectively to aggressive or violent students. Some school boards have hired violence prevention educators who act as resource persons for teachers, parents and school officials. SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND RESPONSES Many schools train both teachers and students in conflictresolution techniques. Conflict resolution and peer m e d i a t i o n have helped curb violence in many schools. In addition, when students perpetrate violence they are frequently required to take classes in anger management, to learn how to resolve conflicts without violence. Finally, some schools have pastoral care workers who listen and talk with students who are trying to cope with anger and pain. 8.4 Community and Youth-Serving Agencies Many community and youth-serving agencies work directly with young people and their families. Some are involved in the development and implementation of violence prevention programs. Examples of programs established by community and youth-serving agencies include: INTERSECTION This is a program which provides counselling for youth who have or are thinking about dropping out of school. EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR YOUTH This program provides training and experience to young people so that they can learn how to seek employment. Some communities have established job banks, at which young people can find out what jobs are available and who to contact. continued...
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