Police focus on young people

(CNS): The need to engage and communicate with young people to keep them out of trouble has seen police officers in West Bay look for new ways to reach out. Last weekend (Saturday, 7 March) officers held a focus group with members of Future Under-15 Football Club to find out what issues are affecting them. “We want toreach out to everyone in the community and that means coming up with new ways to identify and communicate with people,” said Area Commander Angelique Howell.

Officers met with the team and coach on the Ed Bush playing field. Coach Patrick O’Neill said it was an excellent initiative by the police “There are many factors that can influence young people from environmental pressures to peer pressure and it’s important that everyone recognizes the elements which effect young people and provide them with all the assistance they need to overcome these influences,” O’Neill added.

Areas covered during the session included job expos for young people, tutoring programmes and the need for a place for young people to go, such as a games room and community centre that can be the main base for youth based activities.

Chief Inspector Howell stressed that initiatives such as this can only be successful if there is support and partnership from within the community. “We need to work together,” she said. “This session was a great start to the programme which aims to identify the views and concerns of young people.”

The second session will take place this coming Saturday, at the Government Homes Park in West Bay from 4pm. Young people and parents and guardians are invited to attend.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.