Northern Justice Symposium Underway

Northern Justice Symposium Underway

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 15:19

The chief of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council says new methods are needed to curb crime in the North.

Helen Ben was one of a few hundred delegates to attend the opening day of New North’s annual justice symposium in Prince Albert.

They’re discussing ways to make northern communities healthier and safer.

Ben says law enforcement agencies and government need to be constantly reminded that poverty and social conditions are often what fuel crime.

At the same time, she says offenders need to be responsible for their actions.

Ben says new approaches are needed in the area of economic development and social policy to fix the situation.

This week’s conference includes speeches by ex-gang members and criminal intelligence specialists on why crime numbers appear to be growing.