THUNDER BAY – The Limbrick neighbourhood in Thunder Bay is looking for help. Crime in the Thunder Bay Housing complex is up, vandalism and problems with drugs, alcohol and gangs have been increasing.
The Vale Community Council has invited Ian Hodgkinson of the Guardian Angels to come in to talk to parents.
The neighbourhood has struggled for a long time with issues – to a point where some parents told NetNewsLedger that they won’t even allow their children to play outside.
A recent stabbing that led to the death of Otis Perkins in Limbrick seems to have galvanized the VCC and the Guardian Angels.
Over recent weeks, the Guardian Angels reported on their Facebook page that they were set to toss in the towel in Thunder Bay. A meeting with Hodgkinson and VCC President Amanda Perreault appears to have put new energy into the efforts to make Thunder Bay a better neighbourhood.
Issues in the Limbrick neighbourhood include problems with alcohol and drugs, domestic violence, gangs, youth not attending school, vandalism, and what many feel is a lack of support from official sources.
Over the past week, the neighbourhood appears to have taken a step back following the homicide. VCC President Amanda Perreault has had members of the fledgling Bear Patrol walking the neighbourhood.
Parents have been reaching out seeking solutions for the problems plaguing the housing complex.
Many of the families in the community have been scared to get more involved. The homicide appears to have galvanized much of the energy toward solutions.
“We need to come together in ‘Community Unity’,” stated Amanda Perreault. “There are problems, and if we work together, as a community we can solve them.”
Tackling the issue with youth gangs is one where Ian Hodgkinson has a great deal of experience. His talk with parents in Limbrick this week will hopefully spark a growing impetus for real change.
