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That is why the Calgary Police Service works closely with youth who are associating with gangs and those at risk of being recruited. In addition, we work directly with the community to ensure that Calgarians can be involved in creating solutions to gang problems.
There are three areas where we work to prevent gang involvement:
Connecting with the Community
The public must help in the fight against gangs in our city by providing information that assists in investigations and/or by becoming aware of how to recognize signs of gang activity in their communities.
We have set up the Gang Helpline (403-206-8191) where citizens can call in tips or concerns. This line connects the caller to an answering machine that immediately pages a member of the Gang Enforcement Team.
The Diversity Resources Unit can provide service in a number of languages, and has a close understanding of the various cultural communities they represent (they can be reached at 403-206-8150.) The Crime Prevention Unit and our Community Liaison Officers both work directly with the public providing information sessions regarding all types of crime, including gang-related criminal activity.
For more information on steps you can take to prevent youth from joining gangs, or letting gangs establish themselves within your community, visit www.youthlinkcalgary.com.
Working with Youth
Several long-standing programs aimed at youth have been ideal vehicles for preventative work on gangs. Our School Resource Officers, for instance, provide educational sessions to high school students in addition to acting as first responders in school environments.
Our Youth Education and Intervention officers provide educational sessions to Junior High students, and their primary presentation topics are gangs and drug education/awareness.
In addition to the strategies outlined above, the Calgary Police Service offers many other youth programs with an anti-gang message. These include Cops for Kids, About Face, Superkids, and the Junior Police Academy. The Service is also working on a CPS Cadet program designed to promote good citizenship.
Monitoring Known Offenders
The Calgary Police Service has several programs in place to monitor youth and adults who engage in criminal behavior on a regular basis. We also ensure those being monitored are following court-ordered conditions.
Since its establishment in July 2005, the Calgary Police Service's Organized Crime Operations Centre has coordinated nearly 1,800 field interviews, which help to monitor and follow the activities of known gang members.
We keep a very close eye on known gang members. Through ongoing investigation and observation, we work to stay one step ahead of the gangs.
The Calgary Police Service has a Court Monitor who makes recommendations to the Crown Prosecutor. The Court Monitor suggests what conditions should be placed on a specific offender upon release so that he or she does not become re-involved with gang activity. In addition, the Court Monitor will assist the Crown Prosecutor in their efforts to detain individuals who are considered dangerous or those who are at a high risk of re-offending.
The Calgary Police Service's Gang Expert is responsible for assisting the court by identifying gang members. The Gang Expert also outlines criminal activities gangs are involved with in the city of Calgary, and how these criminal offenses benefit the gang.
