Is there an increasing youth crime problem in Abbotsford and across Canada? That’s the impression you might have following the news and social media, but is it accurate?

Dr. Darryl Plecas offers his take Nov 2, 2023 when he joins the Exploring Equity Speaker Series for a talk titled ‘What’s Really Going on with Youth Crime in Abbotsford?’ It takes place from 7 to 8:30 pm in room B101 on the UFV Abbotsford campus. Entry is by donation, with proceeds supporting the UFV-SUS Food Bank.

The Exploring Equity Speaker Series is presented by UFV’s Community Health and Social Innovation Hub (CHASI) and the Rotary Club of Abbotsford Sumas.

Where youth crime is concerned, Plecas suggests a less dire picture emerges when you look at what’s been happening over time and compare Abbotsford’s youth crime issues to other places in the western world. CHASI has explored the probability of an Abbotsford youth becoming involved in crime in the first instance, and the likelihood that Abbotsford youths will become repeat offenders, prolific offenders, and adult criminals. The news is better than you might think, and targeted intervention approaches are improving the long-term outlook.

Plecas, Professor Emeritus at UFV, has been researching crime and criminal justice issues for more than 40 years. He started teaching at UFV in 1979, and prior to his retirement in 2013 he held the university’s RCMP Senior University Research Chair and the Directorship of the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research. Plecas has authored or co-authored more than 200 research reports, international journal articles, and other publications addressing a broad range of public safety issues.

He’s received numerous awards for his work, including UFVs Teaching Excellence Award, the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology Award for the International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Award of Excellence, the Order of Abbotsford, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Public Safety, and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

This is the second conversation in the Exploring Equity Speaker Series. Dr. Keith Carlson, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, Indigenous and Community-Engaged History and director of the Peace and Reconciliation Centre (PARC), headlined the first event on Sept. 30.

For more information or to RSVP visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ufvscommunityhealthandsocialinnovationhub/1022662