A restorative youth justice program started last October in North Vancouver has thus far dealt with six teenagers who would otherwise have been charged with crimes. Restorative justice coordinazor Jacquie Stevulak said the North Vancouver RCMP referred the young people to the restorative justice process at“pre-charge” stage. Restorative justice is a grassroots community-based program designed for first-time offenders involving “low level™ crimes such as shoplifting and auto break-ins. Stevulak said that restorative jus- tice looks at crime as something that has occurred against a victim and community rather than the usual Canadian viewpoint as occurring against the state. In restorative youth justice, a con- ference is eventually held that includes the young person (offender), his family or supporters, the victim, a member of the community, a com- munity mentor volunteer, the investi- gating police officer and a facilitator. The group arrives at a consensus consequence for the teenage offender that is relevant and appropriate, said Stevulak. Once the teenager acknowledges the harm he has done, takes responsi- bility and makes amends, the young person is re-integrated into the com- munity without being isolated. “The victim's satisfaction is a big piece,” said Stevulak. “And the com- munity saying we are concerned about crime and letting that message come out.” Of the six local youth cases that have been dealt with using the restorative justice process, two were completed, two are ongoing, one was not accepted and Gne is being investi- gated. Cases are not accepted if the young offender doesn’t want to par- ticipate in the program. The consequences relating to the completed files include restitution money, letters of apology and com- munity work. They North Vancouver Restorative Justice Society is non- profit and received start up money from the attorney general’s ministry. The main funding comes from North Vancouver City and District. Sex of the Young Offender Sunday, February 21. 1999 — North Shore News ~ 3 north shore news SUNDAY FOCUS Types of offences charged 3° 3h Brug? Alcohol WS 36" 14" 10 qe ea ry ra 1998 1996 1995 1994 1993 4992 1991 uth cr { [ 1997 ime more vio! Court stats illustrate only part of the youth crime picture, say local police Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter dangelo@usnews.com LOCAL courts dealt with fewer acts of youth violence on the North Shore last year compared with previous years, accord- ing to courtwatcher statistics. But courrwatchers observed that the acts themselves are tending to be more violent and involve groups of combative young people. Violent enimes include assaults with weapons, possessing weapons and robberies. The statistics of viu- lent youth crimes are down from 38% of the total crimes committed in 1997 to 24% last year. The statistics are complied through the courtwatchers program, which involves volunteer observers who sit in public court and record information relating to youth cases in North Vancouver provincial court. The statisties are used by the North Vancouver Family Court and Youth Justice Committee. Bue some North Vancouver RCMP school liaison ofticers don't think the local court reflects the actual amount of youth violent crime committed. “We are hearing all the time of incidents that have occurred previous with- out (police’s) knowledge and we are having to backtrack,” said Const. Tom Seaman. Seaman worked in the school liaison program from 1994 to 1996. He returned to the post in January after a stint as che North Vancouver detach- ment's media officer. “When we talked to kids in the high schools, the number one thing, that comes up a lor of times is their lack of confidence in the (justice) system,” said Seaman. Probation and community service for violent crimes, he said, is viewed as “a NORTH Vancouver provincia! court is located where North Van High used to be in the 200-block of + East 23rci Street. The courthouse handles youth, family, adult criminal, traffic and small claims cases. Yourg Offender joke” by many voung people, including the perpetrators of violent crinies. Seaman said kids are feartul about reporting crimes because they don't have confidence that the court system will protect them as witnesses. “When they are being intimidated and threatened by those involved, the perpetrators of those threats are not being severely or seriously dealt with.” Seaman said he has dealt with parents who hoped their child doesn’t have to testify in court. He said that in investigating several large fights at high schools this vear, police have discovered many incidents of alleged unreperted crimes including intimidation, threats, thefts and “meidents with weapons.” One of the latest melees occurred after a St. Valentine’s dance an Feb. 10 at Argyle secondary in which a set of dangerous nunchaku (martial arts fight- ing sticks) were brandished. One of the main combatants at the Lynn Valley brawl had been kicked out of Carson Graham secondary last September after a fight at the school invoived a dispute ber.veen youths of Iranian descent. A steering wheel locking club was branished. Police and 10 school staff were needed to break up the Carson fight. The youth was transferred to Argyle secondary. Charges are pending against the 16-year-old and four of his adult friends in connection with the Argyle fight, according to police. A planned brawl was dejused at Windsor secondary this school vear, said Seaman. A school official and police contiscated sticks and clubs. As late as last week, a group of youths showed up at Windsor i. vchicle in a bid to threaten a student. In another recent incident a teenage witness had his home unsuccessfully fire bombed in North Vancouver, according to police. No charges + - 1¢ laid. “It is a small percentage of kids committing the offences,” said Seaman. Each year, since 1992, about 37 teenagers have been involved in about 45% of cases in North Vancouver youth court, state courtwatchers statistics. Youth crime stats logged ACCORDING to court- watchers statistics for 1998, the following was observed in North Vancouver provin- cial youth court involving cases originating from West Vancouver Police and the North ‘Vancouver RCMP: @ 226 young offenders (ages 12 to 17) were charged; , a @ 18+ boys had 302 charges; NEWS photo Terry Peters = 9 42 girls had 53 charges; B® 28 of the young oftenders were in the care of the provincial govern- ment compared to 35 in 1997; @ the majority of young offenders are boys older than age 16, & property offences (burglary, van- dalism, thett) account for 46% of the charges against teenagers; B violent offences account for 24% of charges in youth court; violent offences include assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, robbery, and possessing a weapon; @ 27 open custody sentences were handed out by judges in 1998 com- pared with 19 in 1997, Open cus- tody sentences can be served, in part, at wilderness camps, and can involve weekend passes home; B 38 sentences of closed custody were handed out compared with seven in 1997, Closed custody sen- tences are served in youth jail. PERCENTAGE OF OFFENCES eg Bs Ted ope 1991 |