At a time when our nation is concerned about the attitude and discipline of our young people, the Negril Police Youth Club is actively pursuing activities that are beneficial to our young adults. Under the motto “Noble, Persistent, Young and Courageous”, the club meets once per week.

Secretary Jahmila Felix says the Negril club has seen a steady growth over the past year with the bulk of the membership comprising teenagers and persons in their twenties. At the moment the Club is raising funds to provide polo shirts for team members so they can proudly display their motto.

The club’s monthly Debate and Discussion night is a source of excitement. Come Saturday the clubbites will be debating the wisdom of distributing condoms in schools. The debates and discussions help to sharpen the public-speaking skills of the youngsters and also create opportunities for research and awareness.

Each year the Jamaica police force organises a summer camp for executive members of the various Police Youth Clubs across Jamaica. The Negril Club representatives are looking forward to attending the camp again this year, because of the various self-development activities which are included on the programme.

Summer Camp 2009 will be held in St Catherine. Guest presenters focus on a wide range of subjects including leadership, cosmetology, sign language, and computer technology. Clubbites also get daily physical training at 5:30 am and there will be a grand coronation of Mr & Ms Police Youth Club.

To inspire its members, the Negril Police Youth Club dedicates one session each month as “Education Night”. On this particular night professionals are brought in and sometimes pastors provide counselling. Most recently Superintendent Grant-Brown made a presentation on the “Sexual Offenders Act”.

Corporal Johnson is the co-ordinator of the Negril club and the youngsters have expressed their appreciation to him and the Negril police for facilitating them. Felix said she is extremely grateful because it was while at a club meeting that Corporal Johnson informed the group about a hotel job fair from which she gained employment. Club members have also been encouraged by the police officers to upgrade their skills through the HEART programme and other institutions.

Through its many activities, the club is providing a social outlet for the creativity and talent of members as they participate in games and compete in other activities with clubs in their division. Undoubtedly, however, the Negril Police Youth Club is making its own social contribution by helping to instill discipline and grow the leadership skills of its members. The club’s secretary echoes the impact of the club on individuals when she said: “My self-esteem has grown and I am a more confident person today because of my involvement with the Negril Police Youth Club”.