Reenergizing the social services for community development & crime prevention

Tuesday, April 27, 2010 – Plans are afoot to re-energize social services on the island, as government continues to explore more creative ways of dealing with the issues of crime and violence. Part of these measures will include a review and evaluation of the Departments of Gender Relations and Human Services, and the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre.

Efforts will also be placed on generating greater collaboration between the ministry of social transformation and the police, as well as encouraging community action against crime, such as establishing neighbourhood watch groups and communities for peace initiatives.

“Special attention is to be placed on providing opportunities for citizens to become constructively engaged in social sporting and community programmes. We also want organizations like the cadet corps, Saint Lucia Boys Scouts, the Boys Brigade, Girl Guides and SDA Pathfinders with a track record of discipline and organization, to be more prominent, and to offer programmes that are stimulating and enticing to our young people,” Prime Minister King said.

The Prime Minister says while the primary focus must be on prevention, there must also be renewed focus on young people who are in conflict with the law. The Probation and Parole Department, he says, will endeavour to provide increased supervision and implement more programmes for young people, one of which is the court diversion programme.

“The programme will focus on the creation of a facility for young people who are at risk in the society and those who have offended. This is in keeping with government’s strategic objective to reduce criminal activity and empower offenders to become law abiding citizens.”

The Prime Minister says efforts to strengthen the links among the police, schools and the youth will also be pursued.

Of the EC$54.7 million that has been allocated in this year’s budget to the ministry of social transformation, EC$35.2 million was allocated for various projects to benefit communities and vulnerable groups.

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