tidings
Laurel V Williams
The Acting Commissioner of Police (PC) has mentioned several police initiatives aimed at young people and aimed at providing positive alternatives to a life of crime.
A statement on Thursday said Mc Donald Jacob identified the initiatives on Monday when he met personally with the board members of the Emancipation Support Committee (ESCTT) as well as Dr David Muhammad, director of the Black Agenda Project Organization, at the Administration Building of the Police.
Jacob named the Hearts and Minds initiative of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), over 100 active police youth clubs, a mediation program to address conflict management within communities, partnerships with various NGOs, including Vision on Mission and what it will happen soon. -Launched the Grace Project.
Jacob assured that no group has been “hunted down” by the Police Service.
Instead, he said the police are tackling the issue of gang violence by protecting the young and vulnerable from falling into the hands or clutches of gang leaders through a range of social and community initiatives.
He said the initiatives are part of the tools used to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Positive collaboration with like-minded stakeholders can change the trajectory of young people’s lives and deter young people from gang activity, he said.
The statement said Mohammed, who is also the Eastern Caribbean representative of the Nation of Islam, a religious movement, said he found Jacob’s sentiments encouraging.
“He went on to describe his experiences listening to young people and hearing about their plight. He hoped that change would come from this meaningful collaboration as he identified areas where more could be done, including building relationships that could result in significant changes.” statement is added.
EFCTT Director Khafra Kambon and Member Dr Asha Kambon joined the meeting virtually.
Khafra Kambon identified some of the committee’s initiatives and hoped that there would be positive changes once there is cooperation among all interest groups.
Dr Asha Kambon expressed her gratitude for the meeting as it identified where the police could benefit in areas of training such as cultural sensitivity, community outreach programs and community education.
ACP Sharon Cooper, Supt Karen Lancaster Ellis, Snr Snr Supt Oswain Subero, IATF Sgt Garth Jones and head of the police corporate communications unit Joanne Archie also attended the meeting.
