Crimestoppers is hoping that getting at-risk youth into gardening can help alleviate some issues of crime in the community.
The group will be applying for a $20,000 grant to purchase two 20-foot by 20-foot greenhouses at a space donated by Charles Hays Secondary. The idea was brought to council by Const. Matt Ericson to seek a letter of support. Ericson said he heard first-hand about the effectiveness of such a proposal from former Vancouver city councillor Peter Ladner during a recent community crime forum held at the University of British Columbia.
"The vision I see is the creation of a community garden that includes youth, gets them involved and gets buy-in from them ... we can create something pretty amazing. We can get a farmer's market, we can get direct sales to residents and I see possible involvement from the food fishery as well," he told Prince Rupert council on Dec. 9, noting a successful community garden would give back to the community.
"Ideally I would like to see a board created that includes RCMP and youth involvement and to see the funds generated from the go into youth initiatives."
Council got behind the idea and agreed to write a letter of support for the grant application, but Coun. Joy Thorkelson said she didn't want to see this project interfere with similar work taking place.
"I think this is a good project, but you may want to have some links with the community garden on Ritchie Street," she said.