MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Civic and security leaders in this south-central parish are warning people to be vigilant in protecting themselves from being lured into danger by unscrupulous people they communicate with online.

Custos of Manchester Garfield Green and Inspector Berthlyn Lloyd, sub-officer at the Manchester Community, Safety and Security Branch (CSSB), pointed out that criminals have not only been targeting people in Manchester, but have lured others to the parish.

“We have had situations where students, young adults [and] children, have gone on social media and meet persons of unscrupulous character and they end up in our spaces. [Had it not] been for the vigilance of the police, persons would have had some unfortunate experiences, so ensure that you use technology wisely,” Lloyd advised students and residents of Broadleaf on Monday at the launch of a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The launch, which was hosted by the Universal Service Fund (USF), is one of the Internet access points designated for Manchester Central through dialogue with Member of Parliament Rhoda Crawford.

Custos Green is urging vigilance among people, particularly children.

“Very importantly, I must encourage you to protect yourselves from unscrupulous people. You have criminals around you walking [in] your community; they rob, steal and hurt you. You have them on the Internet too. Be very careful. They will lure you, they will come dangling pretty things in front of you. You don’t know who they are,” he warned.

“I am going to encourage you to be very wise as you use the Internet — it can be very distracting, and others out there take advantage of that. They will distract you from your schoolwork,” he cautioned.

Inspector Lloyd encouraged parents and educators to guide children’s online use.

“It is important [to] ensure that what you do on social media is to enhance your education… Parents and teachers, please ensure that you monitor what the children do on social media. When you use social media your footprints are forever etched there so ensure that the use of the social media is positive, to enhance your education,” she cautioned.

Green, who last year launched Manchester’s Beliefs, Values and Attitudes (BVA) programme aimed at facilitating attitudinal change and social revitalisation, encouraged his audience consisting of students and residents of Broadleaf to value their integrity.

“… If it is one thing that you leave here today to remember that I said it, ‘Protect yourself on the internet.’ Nothing can be more important than your integrity and your values, and you are not too young to have those. Start from early [and] build on them and grow to become valuable citizens in this society,” he said.

“I beseech you to stay focused. Stick to your schoolwork and work to become successful at whatever you do. Later on you will become leaders in this community and in our nation,” he stated.

Against the backdrop of the prevalence of lottery scamming and cyber crime, the police warned residents to use the free Wi-Fi hotspot for good intentions.

“We do have persons in this space who will want to use it for ill so I am imploring you to ensure that the use of the technology that is here for you is for the benefit, growth, and development of your community,” said Inspector Lloyd.