Small grant for more for anti-gang presentations

The B.C. government has committed $10,000 to anti-gang presentations done by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

The small grant was announced Tuesday in Abbotsford by Justice Minister Suzanne Anton.

She said the cash would fund another 35 presentations around the province by ex-gangster Jordan Buna, who warns students about the perils of his former life as part of CFSEU’s End Gang Life program.

“Gangs recruit new members when they are young and searching for a place to belong,” Anton said. “This program applies the same strategy – we are recruiting youth to stay out of gangs and help keep their friends out of gangs. There have been too many young lives lost to senseless gang violence in B.C.”

Buna turned his life around after serving a prison term for gang-related crimes.

“Gang life seemed like such an easy way to make lots of money and have everything I wanted. Instead it robbed me of so many opportunities and exposed me to horrifying scenes that I will never forget,” he said Tuesday. “If this new funding allows us to reach just one more student who feels alone and vulnerable and remind them that there are much better options out there, it will make a huge difference.”

He said that while he escaped the life, “being part of a gang was a death sentence for most of the people I knew.”

CFSEU S. Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said “the on-the-ground, personal approach to speaking to students, teachers, and parents is effective in creating dialogue.”

“Demystifying the seemingly alluring tactics of gang recruiters is key in helping youth and young adults make better choices,” Houghton said. “The more that parents understand the potential dangers of gang life and are able to identify signs that their kids might need help, the safer our communities will be for everyone.”