Two weeks before the end of the school year, the Expanded Committee Against Fights met again at Lepage Park in Rimouski to try to find solutions to the stages of violence in the park, which have been occurring occasionally since 2018.
According to councilor for the Saint-Robert district, Jocelyn Pelletier, committee members want to avoid closing the park at lunch time. Last May, a notice of motion to this effect was adopted by the Rimouski municipal council, but the by-law has still not been adopted.
If the committee wants to avoid the park closure, this option should remain available, according to the evolution of the situation, however Jocelyn Pelletier estimates. We must remain vigilant at the beginning of the school year. […] We need to leave that door openhe said in an interview with Same frequency.
” I think there is unity around the table: we live in the park all the time. “
At their most recent meeting, on Wednesday, committee members again tried to find solutions.
For example, some courses commonly offered in schools may be offered outside. Organizations other than schools can also offer lessons at Parc Lepage, for both young people and adults.
COSMOSS, the Bas-Saint-Laurent Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) and the street work organization En tout CAS Jeunesse will also try to better coordinate their awareness-raising activities among young people, according to Mr. Pelletier. .
If the park closure becomes inevitable despite everything, Jocelyn Pelletier specified, however, that the City will authorize some supervised activity.
He added that the situation should not be underestimated.
” In a particular segment of the population, there is trivialization of violence and it affects me. They are children. They are 13-14 years old. I hear the elders say: “not there, we are fighting in our time.” We are in 2022! Can we thrive as a society? “
Mr. added. Pelletier, however, said the situation has improved in recent weeks, and more seniors are coming for walks in Lepage Park, which helps to prevent episodes of violence. However, the problem is still far from being solved, he believes.
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
