November 7, 2011
MAPLE RIDGE’S CRIME PREVENTION HEROES

MAPLE RIDGE – Local crime prevention leaders from around the province were honoured at the annual Solicitor General Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards. Among those honoured is the Ridge Meadows Youth and Justice Advocacy Association.

The Winner:

Since September 1994, the Ridge Meadows Youth and Justice Advocacy Association has been assisting 12- to 17-year-old youth in conflict with the law. The association works with the community, RCMP and Crown counsel to help youth recognize the harm of their actions, accept responsibility and be accountable for their offences.

Through its restorative resolution program, the association promotes responsibility, reliability, and resiliency through creative education, intervention, and prevention. In the Association’s 17 years of service, it has received more than 1,900 referrals and was the first association of its kind to receive direct referral from Crown counsel. The association is being honoured with the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Award for a Community Organization for its outstanding commitment to working with youth in the Maple Ridge community.

Quote:

“I'm pleased to see The Ridge Meadows Youth and Justice Advocacy Association recognized for the work they've done in our community. They've given youth the tools to resolve conflict, take responsibility for their actions and understand bad decisions have consequences. Those are lessons they can use for the rest of their lives.”
-Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton

Additional information:

• The Solicitor General’s awards recognize excellence and leadership in crime prevention and community safety among children or youth, service clubs, media, businesses, local governments, community policing and individual, dedicated volunteers.
• Award recipients are selected by the Provincial Safe Communities Working Group, which is comprised of representatives from government, police and community organizations.

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