Written by Helena Kaufman
A unique BC Program and a perspective to make a difference
The Afro News Vancouver
Headlines dealing with crime can make any resident of the Lower Mainland take note. When youth are linked to those newspaper stories and radio sound bites – feels a little more anxious. Most people shake their head and wonder what’s happening to ‘some kids these days’. Most people are relieved to hear that the incident didn’t happen in their neighbourhood.
To Vancouver Police Department‘s Youth Services Section workers, they are the every day kids with whom they build relationships and are on the streets to serve. The neighbourhood consists of all of Metro Vancouver plus some. Recently, The Afro News had the privilege of meeting two of the dedicated team’s members – Detective Constable Phillippa Adams and her partner, Probation Officer Gerald van Stolk.
What It Is
Their shift starts at 4 p.m and they ride together in ‘Yankee 10′. They offer a combination of outreach and a seasoned understanding of the system as it has evolved over three decades of law and attitude changes and as it is now. Like any trusted and experienced family or long term company member – they bring all these layers to benefit youth.
Their combined 42 years direct experience in the justice system. They draw on experience in the downtown eastside, diversity policing, youth detention, outreach work, hate crimes, vice, drugs, gang specializations as well as skills training. Now they take all those contacts, skills and instincts to work for the kids on the streets and in the suburbs.
“The ‘Car” has been in existence for 30 years and is an alternative to the Police Wagon. It’s known to youth and can often drive into a group of 10 or more kids and be accepted,” says Constable Adams. Yankee 10, whose call letter ID stand for youth, is a unique program in Canada. The Vancouver team is comprised of 6 police officers, 3 probation officers and 1 social worker.
There is a daytime car and a night car on duty. There are only 4 hours between shifts that a car and staff are not directly on the streets communicating, connecting and developing relationships and offering resources to kids.
