By Lisa A. McKay, Gleaner WriterSHRIEKS AND LAUGHTER echoed from the mouths of toddlers, teenagers and adults at the East Kingston Police Division on Tuesday.
With the promise 'We are helping to build a better Jamaica', the police from Kingston East began their annual two-week summer programme.
Seeing 115 children being registered, ranging from ages three to 15, the 'foster parents' had their hands full. Corporal Tomielee Chambers, the co-ordinator for the Community Relations Department, told The Gleaner: "It is challenging but a lot of fun, as we cater for children from different social backgrounds and different communities."
OFFICERS LECTURE CHILDREN
The summer school is being hosted on the station's grounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During these hours, the officers lecture the children on road safety, drug abuse, carnal abuse, self-defence, mediation; and they reserve a special area for music in which JCF members teach them about different instruments and play for them. The students are provided with one cooked meal per day, as well as incentives like books, small prizes and every child's favourite sweets.
"There is no segregation here, we group the children randomly, separating them from friends so everyone meets everyone and community bonding starts here," said Corporal Chambers.
LOTS OF FUN
Marksman Security Limited, Big Joe and members of the police force are sponsors of the programme.
Harriesha Harris, a 15-year-old, said, "I represent the Bull Bay Police Youth Club and I am one of the group leaders. It is fun but the children sometimes give a lot of talking, but when it is too much I call on Ms. Chambers."
Corporal Cleavon Dixon, the peer counsellor for East Kingston area, could be seen rapping with the children, handing out sweets and reading sections of books to them. One parent, who volunteered her time for the two weeks, Alicia Laing, stood in the rear helping to keep the peace.
