Regina street safety group formed to curb violence in North Central

White Pony Lodge is abrand new community groupaimed at helpingreduce violence in Regina's North Central neighbourhood.

ShawnaOochoohelpedcreate the organizationafter a homicide in the neighbourhood earlier this year.

"It was the first murder of this year and just knowing that there was a lot of youth involved," said Oochoo. "Again we lost another community member to the violence. Not just through death but we've lost some through incarceration as well."

Oochoo is referring to the killingof 26-year-old Joshua Harden. Four people have been charged in his death, including three boys under the age of 18.

Taking back the neighbourhood

"Life here is unpredictable and uncertain because of the violence," saidOochoo,whorecently moved back to North Central.

She hopes White Pony Lodge can lead the neighbourhood away fromthe violence.

"There's a collective group of community members that just want to see change," said Oochoo.

Street patrols

White Pony Lodge will meetwith Bear Clan Patrol out of Winnipeg in the next few days. The Winnipeg volunteer safetygroup walks the streets to help give people a sense of security.

OochoosaysNorth Central residents have expressed interest in forming a similar patrol in their community.