POLICE CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS GROWTH OF STREET GANGS

Street gangs in Atlantic Canada and how to deal with them will be the
topic of a three-day conference here this fall bringing together
professionals in law enforcement, criminal intelligence, social
services, educators, school administrators, addiction counsellors,
correction and probation services.

The conference and workshops on different aspects of the street-gang
phenomenon set for Sept. 18-20 is being hosted by the Bathurst City
Police in partnership with the Bathurst Youth Centre and the National
Crime Prevention Strategy.

Among the guest speakers are noted Canadian author Michael
Chettleburgh, who wrote the book "Young Thugs," considered by many as
a must-read for front-line intervenors in youth criminal activities,
and Toronto police Inspector Heinz Kuck, an expert in the area of gang
graffiti and tagging and how to eradicate this type of crime.

Chettleburgh has appeared on national news programs discussing street
gangs and why they exist, the type of criminal activity involved and
who these young people are.

The problem is not isolated to Canada's big cities, police point
out.

Also scheduled to address the conference is Dr. Bill Morrison of the
University of New Brunswick, a psychologist who studies intervention
projects related to school health and program education.

Other professionals expected for the event are local, provincial and
Atlantic Region officials specializing in outlaw motorcycle gangs
members of which have been implicated in the importation of illegal
drugs, the Bathurst Police Department's S.P.E.A.R project and other
issues that affect today's youth including bullying and it's impact on
school administrations and young people.