The government has called on outreach workers to save the teen criminals who are terrorising communities across Jamaica.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said a number of criminal activities island-wide are being perpetrated by teenagers.
And he stressed that meaningful youth engagement by the Social Development Commission (SDC) is needed to help those who can be rescued.
Saving the youth
“What we are confronted with as a country is no longer criminals who are in the late 20s, 30s and 40s; those criminals don’t exist anymore.
"What exists now are young men and women, 13, 14 and 15 [years old].
"The SDC has a role to play, because those who we can save, we need to save them."
He was speaking at the SDC’s Long Service, Retirement, and Staff Recognition Awards Ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James on October 20.
Path of destruction
Mr McKenzie said the Government will provide the SDC with the necessary resources to strengthen the agency’s efforts to cut down on crime amongst youth.
“The SDC… has to take a critical look at what it is you can do, as an organisation, to save a generation of young people who are going down the path of destruction, and as community officers, this Government will never allow a dollar or two dollars to prevent you from engaging and steering them away from that path of destruction,” Minister McKenzie stated.
He further charged the agency to use the island’s community centres to implement transformational activities targeting the youth.
Community centres
Mr. McKenzie said several community centres have been left idle or taken over by various groups and challenged the SDC to reclaim those facilities so they can be used for their intended purpose of serving citizens.
“[These] community centres have to become more relevant now. I want to challenge you [SDC] to go beyond what you have done, because there is a lot more that the organisation can do."
The SDC works with stakeholders in Jamaica’s 775 communities to advance sport, social, cultural, and economic development.
