St James youth leaders urged to tackle crime among peers
Published:Friday | August 4, 2023 | 12:07 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Oral Heaven, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), has urged youth leaders in St James to do more to engage their peers, many of whom are desperate for good role models, he says, as they seek a better life outside of crime.
Heaven’s appeal comes amid a growing murder toll in the parish, which has reached 119, a slight decrease of 10 victims, or 7.8 per cent, when compared to the period between January 1 and July 29 last year, according to police data.
In the first seven months of 2022, there were 129 murders and 67 shootings. Total shootings sit at 66 for the same period this year.
Delivering the keynote address this week at the installation of the new president and board members for the Rotaract Club of Montego Bay, Heaven said that Rotarians and Rotaractors can have a significant impact on the crime-ridden communities of St James by forming stronger partnerships with other like-minded non-governmental organisations.
“Young people in these communities are desperate for meaningful engagement,” Heaven said. “They are desperate for opportunities and role models who can show them the way to a better future.
“Now, you, young leaders here today, have the power to be change agents and to offer hope to positively impact our crime rate by providing these young people with guidance or the opportunity to develop their skills.”
The MBCCI president added: “When you do this, you are not only changing individual lives, but you are also reshaping the trajectory of entire communities. We know what’s going on in Montego Bay, and the crime situation is not good.”
Heaven said he believed that if individuals acted as change agents in addressing the crime problem, St James would be able to experience acceptable levels of economic growth and infrastructure development.
“Imagine if we could help one youth in these crime-ridden communities. What a positive impact it would have on our society if we were able to get this crime situation under control here in Montego Bay, attacking it from the root – the community and family level,” said Heaven, who is also a life insurance executive.
“Your work is a beacon of hope amid the darkness, lighting the path toward a safer, more prosperous tomorrow for those troubled youths,” he continued.