Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 Source: Times & Transcript (Moncton CN NK) Copyright: 2007 New Brunswick Publishing Company Contact: http://www.timestranscript.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2660 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek