MONCTON, NB – A new Codiac RCMP program aimed at steering youngsters away from a life of crime is already showing some encouraging results.

Corporal Doug Comfort says since the start of the year, Codiac’s youth-at-risk unit has worked with about 370 kids who’ve been involved in criminal activity and so far, 95 per cent of them have managed to stay out of trouble.

The unit seeks to identify kids who are at risk and then divert them away from the courts and into community programs and services that will reduce their chances of re-offending.

Right now, the unit is focused on kids who have already broken the law but Corporal Comfort says with more resources,  they could make an even bigger difference working with youngsters who are at-risk but have yet to commit a crime.

Comfort made the comments in Dieppe today following a presentation to the Codiac Regional Policing Authority.