Surrey RCMP launches new partnership to support at-risk youth

BEGINNNING this June, Surrey RCMP will partner with Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) on a new initiative to help assist youth who are in conflict with the law.

Car Yankee 30 (Y30) involves an RCMP Youth officer and a MCFD Youth Probation worker working together to ensure youth are complying with court ordered conditions and assist in explaining these conditions to them and their guardians. Car Y30 will also support and facilitate referrals to other appropriate services and agencies and provide specialized knowledge and resources to front line officers.

“Surrey RCMP has worked in partnership with youth probation workers throughout the years, but we hope this new initiative will improve our front line response to youth at risk and have a positive impact on youth criminality,” says Community Support and Safety Officer, Inspector Wendy Mehat. “This is part of our long-term strategy of working with community partners to provide at-risk youth and their families the support they need in order to break the cycle of criminality and be productive members of our community.”

Surrey RCMP Youth Unit officers also continue to help kids at a young age build an early rapport with police through a number of ongoing initiatives.

Project Hi 5 is an elementary school engagement initiative where officers give “high-fives” and interact with students they come in contact with during their visits to elementary schools. Since September, Youth Unit officers have already given out over 1,000 high fives while making regularly visits to speak one on one with Grade K-7 youth during the school day.

“This project isn’t just about giving a high five and walking away,” says Surrey RCMP Youth Unit Corporal Ivan Lee. “A high five is just one of the small things that we do to break the ice with kids which then leads to further one-on-one interaction and discussion on a number of topics relevant to the students.”

Officers will also be involved in the upcoming Citizen and Youth Academy, which is now accepting youth applications from May 1-31, and continue to participate in ongoing Code Blue and Mini Blue Programs.

For a full list of youth programs and initiatives, visit the Surrey RCMP website.