Six local organizations will receive a total of $270,022 in Civil Forfeiture Grants for individual programs. School District #27, will receive $210,000 for its Creating Connections and Sense of Belonging.
This project will target students aged 8-16 who are “at risk” of gang activity or involvement in crime. Students will be engaged in a series of off-site workshops which will address issues such as conflict resolution, assertiveness, cultural awareness and character building. Axis Family Resources Ltd.'s VIP Program will receive $4,800 to provide school-based educational presentations on domestic violence prevention to students and teachers and connect schools to an important community resource for dealing with children who have been exposed to domestic violence.
The Williams Lake Anti Trafficking Committee - Human Trafficking Training will receive $35,822 to help build capacity of services providers and community leaders in Williams Lake and the surrounding rural and aboriginal communities to address human trafficking through a “train the trainer” model.
Additionally the RCMP North District will receive $7,500 to purchase surveillance kits for the marijuana grow-op detection team.
The RCMP North District Drug Section, $5,000 to purchase an electronic white board and accessories to assist in training and briefings. The RCMP Williams Lake, $6,900 to purchase a FLIR (thermal imaging equipment) to assist in the detection of marijuana grow operations and search and rescue efforts.
B.C’s civil forfeiture program started in 2006. This year’s total funding of $6.1 million is the highest yearly funding provided to organizations since the program started.
This year’s grants are targeted to projects in the areas of prevention and response to violence against women and children, prevention of gang activity and increased ecstasy awareness.