INUVIK - It's one thing to complain about youth crime in town, but the chair of the Inuvik Justice Committee would like to see more residents taking steps to solve the problem.

She admits reporting crimes is fundamental to the process.

Alana Mero, chair of the Inuvik Justice Committee, says one of the best ways to eradicate youth crime is by getting involved in children's lives at an early age. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"You have to keep youths accountable," said Alana Mero, who was also chosen as NWT Outstanding Volunteer Award last May.

But she believes a big part of the equation lies with getting involved in youths' lives.

"We have to have kids who know they're cared about," she said. "Sometimes it's saying hi to the kids on the street or getting involved with coaching, letting them know you're there.

"The fact that we let kids hang out in front of the Trapper at bar close, that is a strange phenomenon. That's completely unacceptable. Where are the adults saying this is not OK?"

She said it's simple why she cares so much about the project and youth.

"Kids matter and if you want a healthy community you have to address the issues," she said. "If we're going to identify a problem then we have to be part of the solution. It's as simple as that."

One of the services the committee offers to alleviate the problem is a restorative justice program, which is generally aimed at first-time young offenders between the ages of 12 and 17.

Referred by the Inuvik RCMP detachment, youth candidates usually have committed petty crimes such as shoplifting or break and enters. They also must be willing to participate.

The aim of the program is on healing and holding youth accountable. The perpetrator and victim, as well as other community residents, come together face to face to discuss the crime and decide a punishment collectively. The idea is to keep youth out of the court system.

"In court the victim doesn't have a voice," said Mero. "If the victim is called to the stand they can testify, but only what they're asked to, where in restorative justice they're an equal player at the table.

The whole idea of restorative justice is that youth are held accountable but they have the opportunity to make up for what they've done wrong with the recognition that if you commit a crime, you're hurting someone. You might not recognize it at the time, but you are."

The committee receives about 50 to 60 referrals a year and the restorative sessions can last up to six months.

Youth explain why they've committed the crime. Some of the participants struggle with alcohol abuse and are as young as 12 years old.

"It's the usual gamut," she said. "Quite a few kids don't have the support they need at home and are being left to their own devices. Some of it's really silly impulsive stuff. Some of (it is) kids that are really crying for attention. They want someone to know that they're there."

Gwich'in and Inuvialuit elders are included in the restorative justice group, who are also often involved in on the land programs offered through the committee, where some youth spend time participating traditional activities, which help to promote healing and rehabilitation.

The group collectively comes up with the punishment, and look after youth once the experience is over, including finding counselling, if necessary.

Because of issues of confidentiality, Mero wouldn't name past participants of the program but said the program has been successful in that only five to 10 percent of participants re-offend.

She said she would like more referrals.

The committee has sent an application to the federal government requesting funding for a family intervention program where two councillors would be hired to work with families at risk.

"If you want to stop youth crime, you start when they're very little," she said. "You start with prenatal nutrition. You try to prevent the circumstances where crime tends to develop from. Too often the money gets put in the system later, when it's too late."

That's one of the reasons why Mero is working with the Children First Society. The society is fundraising for a child development centre in Inuvik that will specialize in tackling the fundamental social problems facing children in Inuvik, not to mention alleviate the child care crunch.

- see related stories on pages 7 and 13