.
Search
Email this articleE-mail this story  Discuss this articleWrite letter to editor  Discuss this articleOrder a classified ad

Community ready to tackle vandalism

Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Feb 25/04) - Parents are to blame for the vandalism that is plaguing Inuvik.

More than 50 people, including the mayor, social services workers, RCMP and community members, brainstormed ways to stem vandalism.

While those in attendance wear various hats during the work week, most who came to the vandalism forum last Thursday at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex were there simply as concerned residents anxious to find a solution to the problem.

"My biggest concern is the kids roaming the streets at all hours without any parental supervision," said Bernie MacLean.

"They need structure and limits because if they don't get it now, they'll be this way for the rest of their lives."

MacLean, who is the principal of Sir Alexander Mackenzie elementary school, said he and his staff have set these boundaries but can do little about what happens outside the school.

The general sentiment at the forum was that parents need to take a more active role in their children's lives.

"I assume that many of these kids responsible (for the vandalism) are aboriginal," said Denise Kurszewski. "And I look around and don't see too many aboriginal parents here."

Kurszewski said that kids need to spend more time on the land as a way of building a connection with traditional ways, fostering responsibility and instilling a sense of community.

Others in attendance agreed that more programs that get youth -- especially those 'at risk'-- on the land with elders are necessary and could go a long way to addressing the problem.

At the forum, people were broken into four groups to talk about factors contributing to the vandalism problem and to brainstorm ways in which to combat it.

In the groups, much of the conversation focused on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Many pro-active solutions, including holding bingos after 9 p.m. to encourage more 'family time', were discussed.

Citizens On Patrol

When asked what the RCMP was able to do, Const. John Babbitt suggested that a Citizens On Patrol (COP) program, similar to the one started in Yellowknife, is a possibility for Inuvik.

However, with or without such an initiative, Babbitt said it is important for residents to inform the police of suspicious behaviour.

There are approximately 20 kids the police deal with regularly with regards to vandalism. Under the current legislation, children under the age of 12 cannot be charged, said Babbitt.

Though he did not say how many kids under 12 were known to police, the fact that children so young are involved was unsettling to those present.

As for holding parents responsible for the actions of their children, Babbitt said there is no such provision under the law.

"It's tough when you deal with the same kids over and over again," he said. "And quite often we get calls from parents who feel they've lost control and want us to speak to their kids and we're open to that."

Social worker Sharon Spinks said whatever measures are employed, solving the problem is going to take time.

"Building trust to work with parents who love their children, but just don't have the parenting skills, is part of the effort," she said. "But there's no magic solution, it's just going to take time."

The town office is circulating minutes of the forum to all those who participated. A follow up meeting is in the works, but no date has been set.