One thing that always gets me, is politicians and what not always thinking more laws, new laws, harder/tougher punishments is going to change people. Criminals in general aren't concerned with laws, how many time will they talk about banning guns, or banning bullets? Really? that's the only thing they can think of? illegal guns are illegal guns, banning legal guns, or any guns, isn't going to stop a gun runner from smuggling guns into the country, it's not going to stop gang members from obtaining illegal guns by illegal means...

One problem is our politicians are so out of touch with the realities of city streets they represent, living in their mansions and living off their pensions... City Politicians aren't in any way equipped to deal with the cost of paying for the police force, let alone solved the crime problem... Provincial governments don't really sincerely care about it... Federally, they are too oblivious to local problems... The Canadian Government is part of the problem in itself. TOO busy importing votes than trying to create a solution to our numerous problems..

As much as we place the blame on everybody else, the solution starts within our own state of mind. If we continue to see it as somebody else's problem nothing will ever be accomplished. One person can only do so much, but thousands of One persons can accomplish much more, and create a much more positive outlook for our young people..

I have seen it happen, heard about it a lot, and it has happened to me as well. When companies hire young people they make many of their screening decisions based on the address on the resume, among other things of course, but it's such a shame that companies would think in such a way and allow themselves to miss out on the potential so many talented and intelligent young people.

There are so many problems that have lead us to where we are today, hiring processes barely scratches the surface. We often blame the actions of youth on their parents, or lack thereof... community housing, etc.. it has come down to calling just about everything gang related, seems like an escape to me sometimes. I am starting to think that when the media/news reports a shooting in a "Priority" neighborhood, GANG RELATED=BLACK.

They want to blame the smuggling of guns and drugs on Native Territories near the border or that straddle the border, White people blame immigrants, Black people blame police racial profiling, Police blame the gangs, gangs go about their business while all this is going on and nothing is getting done. I've heard many times this week, that tougher/longer prison sentences for gun crimes will keep these criminals off the street, etc. I don't just think(I KNOW) jails are a breeding and recruiting territory for the people you locked up last time... gangs in particular grow exponentially when they all go to the same prison at the same time, and with a lack of prison facilities,. and many closing there's not enough space to separate them. That's the adult system. The Young offender system has been falling apart for years, and since the Y.C.J.A. came into effect it has gotten much much worse... group homes and programming and after care, etc... all gone. treatment is slowly disappearing. Sentencing guidelines have changed to keep young people out of jail by giving them house arrest or community supervision with no programming(Supervision) at all. Youth Records keep kids out of schools whether you think so or not.

If you go back 10-15 years when the Y.O.A. was still in effect. people complained all the time, but they had systems in place that helped alleviate overcrowding, etc..
Young offenders were held in pre-trial custody for a time, until bail or sentencing in a secure JAIL, then sentenced, sometimes to a longer term jail or to open Custody Group homes, those that went to Open custody had the opportunity to make a change and given the chance to prove themselves through programming and treatment. The ones that were successful remained in contact for what was called after-care, in either housing for treatment, or community group homes designed to Help re-integrate them back into the community by paying rent and holding a job for a time until they could support themselves. This is what the entire Youth system was based around, treatment & Rehabilitation, and with a few exceptions it worked.

SINCE, YCJA these treatment custody group homes have been turned into temporary holding for pre-trial custody. Treatment has virtually disappeared overnight.... The GTA has ONE dedicated Secure Youth Facility, many of the group homes have been closed and sold off to build condos, etc.. agencies that once did all their business by helping young offenders get their act together, are in decline... it's a sad state that will take 20-30 years to actually get back to where it was 10-15 years ago.

I liked the comment about mandatory Military service, if they could work it into being a part of High School, it might do better at crime prevention and make it a requirement for new citizens as well. High School is the time in a young person's life when everything changes, especially the early years and the transition time beforehand. if they don't have the structure and the discipline, they get bored, simply put but a huge factor in becoming involved in the legal system. Our current population of young people is most likely the bordest in our recent history. So if we don't prepare NOW, be ready for far worse and hardened criminals sooner than later.

I agree with Adam Vaughan with this......let's ban bullets because it's not the fault of the person using the bullets but the bullet itself? Hey, Adam since we are at it how about banning public housing since a high percentage of gang members live there and learn their skills there?....it's not the fault of the person living in public housing....but public housing itself for lending itself to be a training ground for future gang members or drug dealers etc.

I love this lefty term "at risk youth" - these people are not pets! Give them some respect by letting them know what our expectations of a civilized person are and let them pay the full consequences if they F-up.
Enticed by the huge income of working in the contraband black market many men are willing to risk everything to get rich. In the name of humanity we have to bring these people back into society by repealing prohibition laws. Its the money earned here that has decimated Black families and cause the death of countless individuals. The government must get rid of laws that treat people like wards of the state and let them take responsibility for their actions. Outlawing drugs, guns and sex have provided a protected market for organized crime - Time to do something about it. Treat people like adults and they will respond like adults - Freedom and the inherent responsibility that comes with it is the answer.