More neighbourhood watches and police youth clubs to be established
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it will be expanding the number of neighbourhood watches and police youth clubs installed across the island.
The JCF said the objective is to increase positive engagement between citizens and the police, which is critical in reducing crime and violence in society.
“We have 110 active Police Youth Clubs across the island, and we are expanding that,” said Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang.
“We have 713 neighbourhood watch groups and we are expanding that as well.”
In addition, Chang noted that two beach watch groups have been launched and two have been sensitised and are to be launched by the end of 2022.
The Minister was speaking during his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, all Community Safety and Security officers islandwide and more than 100 volunteer pastors have been trained in the JCF’s Proactive Violence Interruption Strategy (PVIS) to combat incidents with the potential for reprisal.
In 2021, a total of 87 police officers and external stakeholders were sensitised about the PVIS.
