‘Worst set of parents’.
Lack of guidance leading to murders being committed by youths – ACP McGregor
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER of police in charge of community safety and security, Steve McGregor, is contending that the majority of Jamaica’s murders are committed by young people whose parents are not properly monitoring and raising them.
He made the point while speaking at a Stonebrook Vista returning residents’ meeting in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Sunday.
“We have to drive some fear into these youngsters, who are responsible for 95 per cent of the murders. This is so because, at this time, we have the worst set of parents ever in Jamaica,” McGregor told the residents.
“Older parents were less educated, but they paid attention to youngsters of the day. Older people have to become involved to keep the youngsters on the right track.”
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT A MUST
McGregor said that a strategic community-based solution has to be found in order to curb crime, which must include mentorship for youths.
“The community has to be involved and volunteer and become mentors for these youngsters. These youth lack mentorship, which is one of six pillars which can help to prevent youngsters from taking up a life of crime,” said McGregor.
McGregor, a former commanding officer for the St James police, had made the same observation last year when he revealed that 90 per cent of all murders committed in Jamaica since 2005 were carried out by young people.
During Sunday’s meeting, the senior cop recommended the formation of a neighbourhood watch, creation of a consultative committee, a curfew to get young people off the streets by 9 p.m., and getting them involved in youth clubs to reduce their chances of falling into crime.
“Their involvement in a youth club can help them to occupy their time and keep them in a productive environment, and the consultative committee will encourage people to talk and discuss matters before they escalate into actions which lead to crime,” said McGregor.
“Be inquisitive, look out for unusual sightings in the community, and call the police. It is better to be wrong than to be sorry.”