PEOPLE’S National Party (PNP) caretaker for Kingston Central Steve McGregor has announced a community-driven plan to rejuvenate the constituency by repurposing abandoned and dilapidated buildings into vibrant, functional, community homework centres and 24-hour daycare centres.

According to McGregor, this initiative is the cornerstone of his broader commitment to community development, youth empowerment, and public safety.

“It seeks to directly support children and families — particularly those most in need — by providing safe, structured environments for after-school learning, mentorship, and care,” McGregor told the Jamaica Observer.

“Our children deserve better, and our communities deserve to thrive. By converting these long-abandoned spaces into vibrant centres of learning and care, we are not just improving infrastructure, we are investing in the future of Central Kingston,” added McGregor.

He said the proposed 24-hour daycare centres will particularly benefit working parents on night shifts, easing the burden on single mothers and families who often struggle to find affordable, trustworthy childcare outside of traditional hours.

“This initiative will also support the enforcement of a bedtime curfew for school-age children, promoting discipline and safety in the nightly routine of young people across the constituency.

“Keeping our children off the streets at night is critical. This initiative reinforces parental efforts, offers real alternatives, and builds a safer, more disciplined, and opportunity-filled community for the next generation,” said the retired senior superintendent of police.

McGregor declared that this plan is not just about buildings, it’s about people.

He said his approach is deeply collaborative, engaging community groups, educational institutions, law enforcement, and especially faith-based organisations to help shape, operate, and sustain these centres.

“We’ve already begun working with our churches to launch a real, meaningful campaign to bring young people into Sunday and Saturday school programmes,” said McGregor.

“When I was growing up in Franklin Town, my mother ensured I attended Sunday school at Maranatha Gospel Assembly,” added McGregor as he stressed that these programmes are not about converting children to Christianity but building sound values and attitudes through mentorship.

“Girls and Boys Brigade, Cub Scout, and Girl Guides, and other social engagement — offering real, positive alternatives to the negative influences many face online and in the streets,” McGregor added.

He told the Sunday Observer that as part of his broader vision, his team is also revitalising youth clubs across the constituency.

McGregor pointed out that a new police youth club has already been launched in Rae Town, with plans to use many of the repurposed spaces as future youth club sites.

“We must refocus our efforts on our young people, because the data is sobering: more than 80 per cent of those killed each year in our country are young people, and more than 80 of those committing the violence are also youth. If we influence the attitudes of our young people in a genuine, honest, and consistent way, we will change their behaviour,” said McGregor.

He added that his plan includes the creation of green spaces, “which will be safe, welcoming areas where children and youth can play, recreate, and simply be kids”.

McGregor — who is making his first foray in representational politics — is expected to face off with the Jamaica Labour Party’s Donovan Williams in the next general election.

Williams defeated the PNP’s Imani Duncan-Price in the 2020 General Election with 4,568 votes. Duncan-Price pulled in 4,265 votes.