SAINT JOHN, N.B. – More federal money is being targeted in the effort to reduce crime in the region.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews was in Saint John Monday to announce nearly $300,000 for crime prevention programs targeting at-risk youth, chronic offenders, and aboriginal people.

Toews says he’s heard from police and other local agencies that there is a willingness to engage the community in preventing crime.

“It doesn’t really matter how many resources we provide to the police, although that’s an important step, but if we do not engage the community in crime prevention, it is a difficult struggle.”

Toews says accomplishments at the local level can also have a national significance.