Determined to help young people flirting with crime stay out of trouble, a Laval cop has created a boxing program to focus their energy in the ring, not on the street.
• Also read: Prevention Montreal: a program to combat youth violence
“We have to make sure that they have different models than street gang members. While they’re boxing here, they don’t loiter around or even make stupid decisions like shooting someone,” said agent Nicolas Blondin when Le Journal met him in a gym surrounded by his charges.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
It was he who had the idea for this boxing project this summer after the death of one of the young people he wanted to help. The boy stole vehicles and died in a chase after one of his crimes.
“I knew him well, I saw him almost every day. I would have liked to have had more influence on his life,” he said.
Then he thought the moment was crucial: soon the end of classes would be ringing and many young people would be on their own for the summer season.
“We have seen some who are likely to be recruited because they go to school in an area where there are shootings, where we know a street gang is being formed,” the prevention group’s police officer revealed.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
He then targeted young offenders or others at risk of becoming one. Keeping her busy has become a priority for him. A boxer himself in his free time, he offered them to step into the ring.
Still fragile
And to those who lament children being taught to fight, Agent Blondin replies, “They already know how to fight!” At least in boxing, they develop good habits for life.
And above all, a control of their emotions.
“In the beginning we didn’t know what was going to happen next. Did they want to kick each other in the ring? In the end we never had any problems,” explained Agent Blondin.
Despite the efforts observed over the past five months, he knows some are still weak.
“I know her temper. They could scrape their lives out of impulsiveness without worrying about the consequences,” he said.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
Increased Surveillance
Since the beginning of the project, important safety measures have been taken to avoid incidents. Two of the five police officers from the Laval Police Prevention Command are still present. You put on the gloves and train with the offspring. The other agent remains in uniform and armed.
Patrols also monitor the parking lot of the Laval gym, where youngsters train several times a week.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
About forty young people gather for training every week.
“We are aware that rivals could come and attack the young people here, we have to ensure the safety of the gym customers and the young people of the project,” he added.
The project, overseen by the Service aux jeunes (SAJ) project and intended for vulnerable young people or those linked to street gangs and funded by the city of Laval, ended on December 15. But Nicolas Blondin hopes it will continue.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
While he was able to recruit 14 young people at the beginning of the summer, he has now reached the maximum capacity of 40. His relationship with young people has never been so good.
relationship of trust
“Before that, when I passed a group of young people who were strolling around, they sent me to the shit. Now they’re surrounding me, talking to me, showing me their latest music video,” he explained.
He also insists: This project is not a covert intelligence operation. He wants to build a relationship of trust and help them. But young people are warned: if they commit a crime, he must act.
“If you show me a video of you with a gun in your hand, I can’t close my eyes,” he said.
Better lifestyle thanks to the ring
“I used to spend my free time in front of pizzerias, in parks, on the streets, I wasted my time.”
Since he started boxing, Karim (fictional name) has been doing better. Physically, but also mentally.
“Boxing taught me discipline and it also helped me study,” he said.
The 17-year-old often vaped. He has since quit because he has seen the devastation this bad habit was having on his physical form.
Those who didn’t really like the police before even consider becoming one later.
“They are there for us, not against us,” says the teenager.
One of his friends is aiming for the competition.
“I come here five or six times a week, I go to the gym. I have a goal, I want to fight. That’s motivating,” he said.
calmer
Since the intensive training, Karim feels calmer.
“I used to not hesitate when someone bothered me. Now I’m calmer, less aggressive. I’ve learned to defend myself more with my head than with my hands,” he admits.
The boxing trainer at the Extrême Évolution gym tries to help these youngsters to better control themselves.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
Coach Gabriel Beausoleil helps young people to surpass themselves.
Gabriel Beausoleil remembers that at first they all wanted to prove themselves, raised their chins and looked suspicious, even defiant.
“But this is an invitation to take a hit. I taught them to have confidence, to be ready and to see a situation coming,” he explained.
Photo agency QMI, Thierry Laforce
Controlled Environment
He finds it relevant to let these young people let off steam in a “controlled” environment rather than testing themselves in a park “where they risk escaping and it degenerates”.
For Geneviève Potvin, a crime social worker at the Service aux jeunes (SAJ) project, it’s also a great way to build relationships with them.
“Without this project, it would have taken me a year to connect with some of them in a park,” she explains. It’s also a way for us to create a safety net for them.”
In addition, the project staff want the young people to remain anonymous to avoid reprisals from rival groups, but also so that they are not marginalized as “vulnerable” young people.
Do you have any information about this story that you would like to share with us?
Do you have a scoop that might be of interest to our readers?