CAULDWELL, Hanover — The Green Island Police in this western Jamaica parish have made a startling revelation of children participating in lottery scamming in order to finance their schooling and maintain lavish lifestyles.

The disturbing trend was made by officer in charge of the Green Island Police Division, Inspector Mervin Hodges during a peace march organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cauldwell on Saturday. He later spoke with the Jamaica Observer.

“It is a lifestyle that they have to shed, because 90 per cent of our murders are fuelled by lotto scamming activities, and these ill-gotten gain is causing the death of their families and fathers,” stated Inspector Hodges, who noted this has led to reprisals and counter reprisals, which he described as a cause for concern.

Inspector Hodges said the concerning trend was being ignored by parents.

“The parents have to take a stand also against their children and shun their criminal lifestyles. So, the parents have to do their part and we invite them to come onboard with us,” added the inspector.

Besides scamming, Inspector Hodges said extortion and children being recruited into gangs by adults is of concern to the police. He said these students then take their gang activities in schools where they recruit other students.

He said that most of the crimes in the Green Island area are being perpetrated by young people between the ages of 18 and 26.

Since the start of the year, there have been 14 murders committed in the Green Island space, with six reported in Cauldwell alone. Only one murder took place in the area during the same period last year.

The most recent murder in Cauldwell occurred on June 22, allegedly committed by two boys, aged 18, whom police said used the gun to kill an adult for correcting their behaviour.

“This section contributed the most crime in the Green Island Division thus far, in comparison to the hotbed of Logwood and Santoy that have seen a reduction,” stated Inspector Hodges who noted that the police would like to see gains made in those areas replicated in Cauldwell.

Inspector Hodges is calling on parents, community members and the Church to partner with the police in working to restore calm to the area.

Head of the March Town District of Seventh-day Adventist churches, Rev Jermane McBeam said Saturday’s initiative was aimed at targeting the Cauldwell communities and surrounding areas such as Spring Mountain, Pell River, Prospect and Green Island which have seen a surge in criminal activities over the past months.

“It is of concern to us because since the increase in crime and violence, we have been having a number of members who are scared to come to church. We have community members who are afraid to leave their homes and as a church, we believe that while the politicians and the police officers will try their best to curtail crime and violence, we still believe what the Bible says, which is, only God can transform the heart of men,” stated the clergyman.

With the assistance of the Hanover Restorative Justice Centre, Rev McBeam hopes that there will be a transformation of the communities and the youth in general.

“We realised that there are a number of at-risk youths in these communities who are unattached. They don’t have jobs, they are involved in lotto scamming and we believe that if as a church we are able to present them to Jesus and begin to have mentorship programmes, we can get them from the path that they are on and transform them into being better citizens for the country of Jamaica,” argued Rev McBeam, who acknowledged that families impacted by crime turned out despite a downpour of rain.

One such family member is Zada McIntosh, sister of 40-year-old Marlon McIntosh who was shot and killed by gunmen on a motorcycle at a taxi stand in Old Green Island in May. A female passenger was also injured.

McIntosh told the Observer that she is happy for the march, which she said can help with bringing peace to the community. She said it was difficult, as she is the only one left with the burden of burying her brother as another brother was lost to gun violence in Kingston a few days prior to Marlon’s death.

To complicate things, Marlon’s mother is sick with cancer while his four children are unable to partake in the funeral preparation.

On the other hand, Inspector Hodges said the police is currently working with the Hanover Educational Institute which will be having an open day aimed at presenting varying career opportunities and training to the youth on July 10 at the school in Lances Bay.

Inspector Hodges, who is encouraging the youth to join the Green Island Youth Club, said in partnership with the Social Development Commission and the National Youth Service, a summer employment programme is currently unavailable.

Saturday’s march is the first in a series for the Green Island Police Division. A group of varying church denominations have partnered with the police and the Jamaica Defence Force to stage a march on August 8, under the banner of Christian Community United for Change.

The march will end with a meeting at the taxi stand where McIntosh and another taximan were killed.