HEROY Clarke, Jamaica Labour Party caretaker for central St James, is calling for a serious review of the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) in St James in order to better serve communities there.

Clarke said the programme has had some impact in the areas it operates, however, there needs to be more done.

Successes, he said, include where scholarships have been awarded to at-risk youth to continue their secondary and tertiary education, as well as the Goals for Life programme.

But, he said, “there needs to be a new approach to increase the numbers significantly, especially when one observes that the social deviants in the 15-24 age group are the greatest challenge to businesses and the tourism trade.

Clarke said he noted that grant funds had been received from the UK Department for International Development this month for the CSJP, and is calling on the Ministry Of National Security to allocate the majority of the funding for enhancing opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship through the provision of training in vocational skills, business skills, and remedial education for youth, as well as greater access to micro-finance.

He noted that what is needed is a youth leadership programme targeting those 18-35, and focussing on the mastering of numeracy and literacy skills, increasing employment opportunities/entrepreneurial opportunities, instilling heightened levels of discipline and heightening civic and political understanding of the society.

CSJP is a crime prevention initiative of the government and international groups that seeks to stem the problem of crime and violence in selected communities in Jamaica.