The Portmore Social Development Commission (SDC) is working to develop a community safety initiative to battle gang warfare and other criminal activities in the Portmore borough, Newland.

Governance coordinator with the Portmore SDC office, Lloyd Erskine, told the Jamaica Information Service the organisation was collaborating with the police.

He said that a community work plan was "validated and approved" by the community at a meeting on August 19, which was attended by high-profile officials including South St Catherine Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson; Portmore Mayor Keith Hinds; and Spanish Town Mayor Dr Andrew Wheatley.

Improve the quality of life

The plan, Erskine explained, will address the influence of gangs and informal leaders, poor relations with the police, illiteracy and youth unemployment.

"The community also identified a number of indicators that they will look for to recognise that the plan ... is working, and that the community is moving where people can benefit and improve their quality of life," he said.

The Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning, the HEART Trust/NTA and the National Youth Service have been incorporated in the drive to get young people involved.

Erskine said that the next step was to developing some of the ideas into project proposals.

"What we're in the process of doing now is to revive the citizens' association in Newland and liaising with identified funding agencies with the developed project proposal, so that we can start implementing projects from the work plan," he said.

Erskine stated that the initiative should lead to improvements in development, safety and security.