Regina high school students encouraged to “speak out”

REGINA – The second annual Speak Out Regina Youth Forum took place at Miller High School Wednesday, hosted by Crime Stoppers.

After listening to opening speakers’ comments, students broke out into groups and discussed common issues.

In the afternoon they had a chance to ask questions of school board representatives, city councillor Mike O’Donnell and police chief Troy Hagen about policy and safety in schools.

“Drug issues and gang violence and weapons within the school,” explained Grade 10 student at Martin Collegiate, Jasmine Klyne. “People have brought weapons into Scott or at Johnson a person brought a BB gun into school one day and shot a girl in the face with it.”

Other students asked about the recent stabbing at the Cornwall Centre.

“Certainly I don’t believe people should feel concerned about their personal safety as they’re out,” said Chief Troy Hagen. “It’s a safe community and this is very much just a random act.”

Hagen added there’s no indication that it’s gang related, and has empathy for any students who might know the people involved in the incident.