Thunder Bay – News – Eleven students from the Regional Multicultural Youth Council (RMYC) summer program visited the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters to understand more about the policing services available in our community, as well as the main issues affecting local youth that law enforcement is tackling.
Our youth group had viewed a documentary about Black youth being recruited in southern Ontario and then sent to Thunder Bay and northern reserves for drug trafficking. Given the increasing Black population in Thunder Bay since the pandemic, we sought to hear from police about this situation. Our goal was to prevent local Black youths whom we support at the Multicultural Youth Centre from connecting with drug dealers and getting involved in criminal activities that reinforce negative stereotypes.
We also came across news reports indicating that Thunder Bay has Canada’s highest human trafficking rate, with an average of 8.0 police-reported incidents per 100,000 people. Therefore, we aimed to gather insights from the police service on this issue too.
Even though we didn’t schedule a formal appointment to visit, officers Jeny Bailot and Amanda Zappitelli graciously welcomed us into a room where we talked about these issues. They explained various factors contributing to increased human and drug trafficking in Thunder Bay, including our location at the heart of Canada connected by trans-Canada highway which also links many northern reserves.
We discovered that many traffickers are youths aged between 13 and 17 from Toronto and other towns in southern Ontario. They get drawn into crimes like selling drugs, theft, and vandalism with promises of money and a better life without understanding the consequences of their choices. Raising awareness about the risks associated with criminal activity can help deter kids and teens from joining gangs or becoming engaged in illegal acts. It’s crucial to support youth mentally and physically while educating them on risk factors and providing positive role models who can guide them toward making good choices. Encouraging peer support groups and having sharing circles for discussing ideas will empower them to make wise decisions.
We also learned that the Thunder Bay Police Service is actively addressing issues related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The officers are committed to handling missing person cases without focusing solely on race. However, systemic racism remains a concern within policing not just in Thunder Bay but throughout Ontario and Canada as well. Efforts are being made to tackle this issue, reminding us all to stay vigilant while working together for safety in our community.
We appreciated our visit to the police station where officers made us feel comfortable enough to ask questions openly. Police Chief Fleury joined our meeting briefly, allowing us time for a photo together. The RMYC plans on having follow-up meetings with police regarding topics like safety, juvenile crime, high-risk areas around town, criminal youth gangs, online safety measures, and opportunities for police recruitment.
By: Heritage Akinrinade and Roman Sakakeep
Regional Multicultural Youth Council
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