A government social intervention programme credited with significantly reducing crime and violence in several inner- city communities is in danger of being scaled down, as its major source of funding may dry up by August.

The Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), which residents say has helped to keep the peace in communities such as Fletcher's Land, Rockfort and Trench Town in Kingston, is expected to continue past August, but possibly without resources from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which has funded the programme since 2002.

"The CSJP will not be receiving the level of support that it had previously under the IDB financed arrangement this year," community action coordinator for the CSJP, Orville Simmonds told a gathering of mostly parents in communities the programme serves last week.

Simmonds said because of the funding situation the programme was in a transitional phase, and may have to reduce the services it provides in the communities, most of which are susceptible to outbursts of violence.

"If you notice a slight reduction in the level of services being offered by CSJP in your communities don't be alarmed too much. Whatever is provided, try to make the best use of it," Simmonds told the audience at the parenting symposium at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

In addition to parenting training, CSJP programmes include breakfast and homework programmes, and evening curfews for school children, education and vocational skills training, mentoring, and conflict resolution training.

The community action coordinator said representatives from the IDB will be in Jamaica to commence consultation for a possible phase two of the programme, but government would continue with the programme in the meantime.

However, CSJP monitoring coordinator Marjorie Codner said the programme was vibrant in several communities despite the uncertainty of funds.

"The slowing down is not very obvious because the parents are taking the initiative and keeping their children together," she noted.

The CSJP is also active in Tower Hill, Waterhouse, August Town, and parts of Montego Bay and Westmoreland among other communities.

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