Police commissioner appeals to diaspora to support social intervention initiatives
Published:Tuesday | June 18, 2024 | 9:39 AM
Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake is appealing to Jamaicans in the diaspora to support social intervention initiatives in the country as part of efforts to save the hearts and minds of children.
Blake made the call on Monday during a fireside chat at the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, which is now under way in Montego Bay, St James.
The police chief, who views challenges as opportunities, urged the diaspora to get involved in projects such as building community centres.
These centres, he said, would provide safe spaces for inner-city children after school, especially when their parents are working.
“We the police are competing with the gangsters for the hearts and minds of these children,” he stated, explaining that he wants to get people to help children with homework, keeping them occupied and away from the reach of criminals.
He stressed that despite significant investments in training and education, children remain vulnerable to gang influence in their communities.
“We need them to be in places where they are secure,” he stated.
Blake also pointed to Project S.T.A.R (Social Transformation and Renewal), which he co-chairs with former president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Keith Duncan, as another initiative that members of the diaspora can get involved in.
He explained that one of the elements of the project is that it does not impose solutions on communities.
“What we do is engage communities to identify their own problems, create a facilitated environment so that the solutions for those problems are derived from the communities, and then we help them to build community programmes.”
The community develops the plans, and Project STAR assists in the execution.
“There is one element in the STAR project that the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] consistently insists on and that is leaving tangible benefits in that social intervention in that community,” he shared.
“We insist that there must be economic viability, and it doesn't have to be finding jobs for persons, but also creating entrepreneurial opportunities,” he argued.
In addition to Project STAR, Blake is focused on changing the narrative and the perception of Jamaica, and the police, among Jamaicans living overseas.
“We have made extensive efforts, many times sitting with persons who are educated, and after enlightened discussion, the result of what you hear makes you wonder if your communication was effective. So there's a narrative out there that really doesn't describe who we are,” he stated.
Acknowledging that there are unfortunate incidents, he emphasised the importance of protecting the island's goodwill and image.
“A single incident sometimes characterises the force itself and it takes away from the true narrative. And it's significant, particularly, with the Diaspora,” he explained.
Lauding those who show real appreciation and interest in the country, he said he was heartened by the visible pride in those wanting to help.
- Janet Silvera
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.