The City of Airdrie received $1 million from the Government of Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) on Jan. 22, which supports municipalities to develop youth violence prevention resources.
“Local efforts, grassroots and community efforts can address the social conditions that lead to criminal behaviour,” said George Chahal, member of parliament for Calgary Skyview on behalf of Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic Leblanc.
“The government stands firm in its conviction that any solution to gun and gang violence must include prevention and intervention efforts. That’s why today, I am pleased to announce that the City of Airdrie will receive more than $1 million in federal funding to prevent gun and gang violence in Airdrie.”
This investment will help address the root causes of crime, supporting community led projects for young people involved in gangs or who are at risk of joining them, he added.
Airdrie’s mayor Peter Brown said over a third of Airdire’s population is under the age of 20.
“We have one of the lowest crime severity indexes among cities across the country, not just in Alberta,” he said. “Our goal is to continue to keep gun and gang violence out of Airdrie through early intervention against bullying. Bullying isn’t gun and gang violence but we recognize that when it escalates it can lead to increased risks for vulnerable youth.
Members of Airdrie City Council were also in attendance at the announcement at Airdrie City Hall.
Funds will be rolled out in the community through a collaborative effort from the City of Airdrie, RCMP, and Rocky View Schools.
