Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
A helping hand and a listening ear to uplift Jamaica
Paul Randall (second left) engaging with cruise passengers soon after they disembarked from the Radiance of the Sea at Falmouth port on Easter Monday.(Photo: Philp Lemonte)
Editorial
April 13, 2023

A helping hand and a listening ear to uplift Jamaica

Back in August last year, Senior Superintendent Vernon Ellis of the St James police made a comment which has stuck in the memory.

“We cannot arrest our way out of the problems… sometimes it needs a multi-agency approach…” he said then, as he and others hailed a Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) initiative to fight crime and social delinquency through uplifting the most vulnerable in troubled communities.

This newspaper has consistently argued that such interventions should go hand-in-hand with the extremely important push to capture and neutralise criminals and halt the flow of guns and ammunition to evil-doers.

We believe that if most Jamaicans at all levels, across political party and socio-economic lines, can buy into the idea of working together to lift those floundering in poverty, ignorance and hopelessness, crime and its related challenges will be greatly minimised.

In that respect we are heartened by two articles in yesterday’s edition which highlight initiatives — the likes of which we believe should be proactively encouraged and implemented across the length and breadth of this country.

The first article, originating in western Jamaica, tells of a drive to train and transform hustlers and touts — who used to harass tourists for a living — into formal guides.

Led and coordinated by the Tourism Product Development Company, the project has apparently reaped success in Falmouth, Trelawny, and is now being introduced to the visitor-popular Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay.

Our reporter tells us that Mr Paul Davy, one of 10 participants in the Falmouth Guide Services, spoke of his delight that he no longer has to flee the police but is now independent and respected.

“We feel good about the fact that we can be in the streets and don’t have to be looking out for police…We can be out there and feel a part of the system, out there in uniform, standing alongside the police and security officers in the community,” Mr Davy said.

We endorse the comment from president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Mr Robin Russell that “these are things we need to do to get people incorporated in tourism. Everybody can be a part of it [tourism] when you train people correctly …”

The second article focused on a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project which is seeking to prevent youth crime and violence by helping 650 “at-risk youth” through vocational training, livelihood opportunities, and psychosocial support.

One beneficiary, 31-year-old Mr Emerson Benjamin — who has received training to instal, repair and maintain heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning units — says he is now encouraging others to also gain legitimate skills and turn away from crime.

“I try to mentor and show them where I’m coming from and where I’m going now,” he told the Observer.

Hotel worker Mr Sammaire Petgrave, who was introduced to the USAID-funded project by National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, tells us that “sometimes with a helping hand and a listening ear, anything is possible”.

That is wonderful advice that can make a world of difference as we strive as a nation to deal with crime and our many social problems.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

GHK-Cu: A copper-binding peptide in regenerative signaling and molecular adaptation
Advertorial, Latest News
GHK-Cu: A copper-binding peptide in regenerative signaling and molecular adaptation
July 6, 2026
The expanding interest in small bioactive peptides has brought renewed attention to glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine bound to copper, commonly referred to a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
TEF to introduce alternative pathways to support students
Latest News, News
TEF to introduce alternative pathways to support students
July 6, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is to introduce alternative pathways to support students, in addition to its existing summer in...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Thank you for believing in me’: Asafa Powell’s emotional farewell to Stephen Francis
Latest News, News
‘Thank you for believing in me’: Asafa Powell’s emotional farewell to Stephen Francis
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Retired sprint icon Asafa Powell has paid an emotional tribute to his longtime coach, Stephen Francis, following the legendary tra...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Cuba suffers new nationwide blackout, third in six months
Latest News, Regional
Cuba suffers new nationwide blackout, third in six months
July 6, 2026
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Cuba on Monday suffered its third nationwide power outage since the start of the year, the state electricity company said. The im...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica Council of Churches slams TCN talks, calls for halt to negotiations
Latest News, News
Jamaica Council of Churches slams TCN talks, calls for halt to negotiations
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) is urging the Government to halt negotiations on a proposed agreement with the United States...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘No signs’ South Africa xenophobic violence letting up, Nigeria says
International News, Latest News
‘No signs’ South Africa xenophobic violence letting up, Nigeria says
July 6, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria (AFP) — The situation for foreigners in South Africa is deteriorating, Nigeria's foreign minister said Monday, as anti-immigrant mobs h...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Cemex reaffirms long-term commitment to Jamaica’s growth and development
Latest News, News
Cemex reaffirms long-term commitment to Jamaica’s growth and development
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cemex, Jaime Muguiro, has reaffirmed the company's long-term commitment to supporting Jamaica's e...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Chronic Law detained again by US authorities
Latest News, News
Chronic Law detained again by US authorities
July 6, 2026
Popular dancehall artiste Chronic Law, whose given name is Ackeem Campbell, has been detained once again by authorities in the United States (US). Con...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct