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.