TWO HUNDRED young persons between the ages of seven and 17 from the Kingston Central Police Division, are set to benefit from a combination of enrichment activities, counselling sessions and sporting activities under a two-week summer programme.
The programme is being sponsored by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), in conjunction with Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and the Gleaner Company Limited. Cheques amounting to $700,000 were presented to Kingston Central police on Tuesday, August 5, at the JNBS' Half-Way Tree branch.
STRATEGY
Dubbed the "Kingston Central Police/PSOJ Leader-ship Enrichment Programme", the initiative is set to begin on Monday, August 11. It began with the Kingston Central police, as part of their strategy to erase the divide between citizens and the police. The programme will be hosted at the East Queen Street Baptist Church Hall and the Breezy Castle Sports Complex.
Communities served by the Division include Allman Town, Fletchers Land, Gold Street, City Centre and Kingston Central.
The programme will expose participants to readings and discussions in history, government, global studies, regional studies, vocational studies, money management, truancy, managing conflict, drug awareness, career development, healthy lifestyle and responsible sexual behaviour.
Earl Jarrett, General Manager of JNBS, who made the presentation on behalf of the society, said the PSOJ's efforts with the police has borne fruit. He said the police have recognised that by connecting with young people, "We can start the process of stemming the anti-social behaviour, which sometimes exist among young persons."
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Senior Superintendent of Police, Lindburg K. Simpson, of the Community Relations Branch, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the programme, said the police were aware of the social responsibility placed on them. "There are people who by themselves cannot pull themselves out of the poverty that they find themselves in and so it is necessary for us to assist them to rise above their level of subsistence to be rightful members of society," he said.
He said the programme was a forerunner of a project that would follow as the police sought to enrich, empower and strengthen members of these communities. "The programme will focus largely on self-development and some of the issues that impact their lives," he said.
Superintendent Carlton Wilson, Divisional Commanding Officer for the Kingston Central Division, said the monetary assistance was timely, worthwhile and positive.
