Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 14, 2017 (SKNIS): Teamwork, peace and prosperity were on full display on Monday (August 14) at the opening of the inaugural Police Summer Youth Camp being held at the Dr. William Connor Primary School.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, attended the opening ceremony and said his “heart was glad” to see the leadership shown by the organizers in hosting 200 young people. He said the partnerships between the public and private sector and community persons are the hallmark of a good community policing programme and congratulated the men and women of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force that organized the two-week camp.
“I want to thank the police again for demonstrating that together as a team we can make St. Kitts and Nevis what we wish for it to be; a country of peace and prosperity. For us to achieve that, we have to do it as a team. All hands on deck, and so I commend the civilians from the various communities who were recognized this morning for their good cooperation,” Dr. Harris noted.
He harkened back to the days when a homicide was a rare occurrence in St. Kitts and Nevis, which like other Caribbean countries has had challenges with gun-related crimes, and said it was important to recreate such an environment for the younger generation.
Some of the topics for the August 14 to 27 Camp include sexual abuse and peer pressure, bullying, art and craft, children’s rights, and traffic safety. Presentations will also be made by residents and an officer from Her Majesty’s Prison, Crime Reduction Specialist, Dr. Neals Chitan, members of the Police High Command and more.
“Our efforts today are as they ought to be, about consecrating the future,” the prime minister added, and noted that it was important to engage young people at an early age to positively influence their decision making skills. “I want to commend our young people and to say you can, yes you can make St. Kitts and Nevis a better place.”
Dr. Harris also commended the parents and guardians for answering the call to enroll their ward in the programme.
