Cops renew scholarship programme in Flankers

IN YET another bold move to align itself to problem-plagued communities in St James, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Wednesday renewed its scholarship grants for two students from one of the parish's crime hot spots, the community of Flankers in Montego Bay.

Delmar Williams and Fraeika Richards, who are grade three and grade four students at the Flankers Primary and Junior High School, each received a scholarship grant of $52,000. The cheques were presented

to the students by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Steve McGregor, the commanding officer for St James. He also donated school bags along with books and other school supplies.

Maintaining a B+ average coupled with discipline were requirements for the renewal of the programme, which is now in its second year at the institution.

"The idea is to carry them (the two students) right throughout their school years here (Flankers Primary and Junior High School) and then we will give the scholarship to two other students," said McGregor, adding that the police would be looking to introduce the programme to other schools in the division.

"We know that there are a lot of schools in St James that could be beneficiaries, but we look for schools in the hot spot areas and the inner-city areas; however, for the past two months this (Flankers) community has been really quiet and the people are reaching out, so we want to reach out back to them through the youth," McGregor stated.

expressed gratitude

The parents of the two students who benefitted from the scholarship grant were elated and expressed gratitude for the kind gesture. According to them, the money would go towards purchasing textbooks as well as toward covering other school expenses throughout the academic year.

"He is not my only child, and for him to get all his books is very good, and I want to thank the SSP and everybody who made this possible," said Carlette Hamilton, the mother of Delmar Williams.