The old adage, “Ignorance is no defense under the law” is taking on renewed meaning these days.

With more than half of robberies (also known as jumps, rips or punk-offs) perpetrated by youths in 2006 – the majority of whom don’t even know they’ve committed a serious offence – the issue is top of mind with the Halton Regional Police Service 2 District in Oakville.

“The most common form of street robbery we’re seeing right now is youth-on-youth style robbery,” said Detective Sergeant Kevin Maher. “In most of these incidents, the crime is one of opportunity with minimal planning. It occurs when youth or a small group of youths physically accost another youth in order to steal whatever valuable property they may have in their possession.”

While street-level robberies generally do not net the offender any substantial monetary gain, the crimes have a significant impact on the perception of public safety within a community.

“Tackling crimes like street robbery involve more than simply laying charges,” said Inspector Jackie Gordon. “Experience shows us time and time again that education plays a key role in prevention – regardless of the motivation.”

Shelley O’Donnell, a Probation Officer and Youth Worker with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and Halton Youth Justice Program, believes there are several reasons why youth are committing these crimes. “For some, it’s drug-related. O’Donnell states. “For others, it’s an eye-for-an-eye mentality – the notion that he punked me off, so I gotta punk him off.”

While it may seem like common sense to most that combining theft with a physical assault or threat constitutes a serious crime, surprisingly, the connection is not being made by many of the youth who commit the act.

“Most recognize that stealing is wrong but there is often a great sense of surprise when the charge is elevated to robbery,” said O’Donnell. “. There’s a real need to get the message out to youth before they find themselves in trouble with the law.”

It is with the aim of teaching teens and young adults about the consequences of robbery that the Halton Regional Police Service included it as a core them in its Youth Respect Action Plan pilot program. The initiative, which was launched in Oakville in June 2009, aims to curb police, citizen and youth concerns regarding particular crimes and stereotypes through a series of educational posters.

Each poster, including Don’t Do It was designed by youth members of the Youth Respect Action Plan Committee. It, along with ones about property crime and misperceptions about young workers, will be displayed in schools and prominent locations around Oakville between now and the end of the year.

How A Criminal Record Can Affect You:

(From Pardons Canada & The Halton Youth Justice Program)

• Hinder your ability to gain employment or educational opportunities
• Restrict freedoms by imposing conditions such as curfew, with whom you can associate and where you can go
• May make renting an apartment more difficult
• Can result in denial of entry into the U.S.A. and other countries
• Will likely require regular visits with a probation officer
• May suffer accusations and have your credibility questioned
• Possible release of your name to the media if you are over the age of 18