NCJ Number
162191
Journal
Gazette Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 2-5
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes a school-based martial arts program sponsored by the Vancouver Police Department.
Abstract
The Vancouver area known as Mount Pleasant has a high proportion of recent immigrants and families on income assistance; many of the children living there come into conflict with the law. In an effort to reduce the likelihood of these inner city youth coming into conflict with the law by having them interact, while still at an impressionable age, with local patrol officers in activities that would be fun, the Vancouver police designed a martial arts program. Even though sports such as basketball, baseball, and soccer are very popular, martial arts was chosen as the most appropriate activity for achieving the stated goals because: (1) a cornerstone of the sport is building self-discipline and respect for others; (2) it has been popularized by the entertainment industry; (3) many of the youngsters are from ethnic communities where the sport has a strong tradition; (4) it is not a team sport, so children of all ages and skill levels can participate without performance pressure; (5) it is a coed activity; (6) the Vancouver Police Department had several patrol officers with expertise in the sport; and (7) it is an indoor activity and can be held in schools. Community reaction to the program has been extremely positive and many schools are interested in participating.