'We can confirm at this time that it appears that this file is gang related and an example of how they are targeting youth in schools,' he said. He said police couldn't elaborate on which specific gangs they're referring to because of ongoing investigations, but added that they have made several gang-related arrests over the last few months.Īnastasiades said gangs, both local and from the Lower Mainland, are actively recruiting young people, pointing to a bust back in March where police seized $100,000 in vaping products being sold in Victoria schools.

'We see gangs are attending schools and targeting youth, trying to recruit them into the gang life and that is very concerning,' Anastasiades said. Markus Anastasiades with the Saanich Police Department said Wednesday that the force supports the letter sent out by the school board this week after an uptick in gang activity at local schools. “Social media has become a tool where gang-associated behaviour is being displayed and promoted on a variety of platforms.”Ĭonst. “There has been an increase in violence, drug dealing, and weapons related offences including the use of imitation firearms and knives among youth,” the letter says.

In a letter distributed by the Greater Victoria School District, school administrators say police in the region are alarmed about potential gang involvement of a small group of teenagers in the community.Ī copy of the letter sent to families in Saanich, B.C., by Mount Douglas Secondary principal Donna Thompson, says police shared the information with school districts on southern Vancouver Island recently, warning of gang recruitment of young people to sell things like vaping products and high-end clothing. High schools on southern Vancouver Island are warning parents to be on alert over an increase in violent crime and gang activity involving young people after police in the region raised concerns with school board officials.

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