KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The curfew model which stipulates that students must be off the streets by 9:00 pm may be replicated across the island.

Under the model, students under the age of 17 must not be on the streets unless they are in the company of their parents.

Making the disclosure during a school opening ceremony at Seaward Primary and Junior High in St Andrew, today, Commissioner of Police, Dr Carl Williams, said the matter was among several issues discussed with executives of the National Parent-Teacher Association, recently.

The initiative was launched in April by the St James police out of concern that criminals have been preying on vulnerable students, luring them into illegal activities and turning their minds against wanting to go to school.

Dr Williams urged parents and community members to work with the police to monitor “hot spots” and areas where children loiter instead of going to school or home.

“We have to work together – police and community members – to ensure that the future of these little ones is secured,” he said.

In the meantime, the Commissioner said school safety remains high on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s list of priorities.

Dr Williams said police officers will be much more involved in the life of children in schools. “They will be present to ensure that safe space is created for these children,” he said.

He noted that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is progressing with the launch of 100 youth clubs in schools across Jamaica.

“We have to ensure that we instil or try to help to instil the kind of core social values that will supplant the culture of violence,” he said.

The Commissioner urged Jamaicans to protect the children of the nation because they are the future.