Probing Portland | Proper parenting keeping community peaceful
Published:Thursday | May 3, 2018 | 12:00 AMCorey Robinson/Staff Reporter
Residents of Clear Spring in east Portland are adamant that proper parenting has played a key role in keeping their community relatively crime free over the years.
But they are now worried that social challenges threaten to pull youngsters the wrong way.
"We need more jobs in here - that is the thing - because if all the youths have something to do, then none of them will be on the road idling. Them need some jobs where to go and learn," said Joe, a resident of the sleepy district.
"You have good parents here, and that helps because a man not going to see another man child doing wrongs and don't do anything. That is one thing with here. But we still want something for them (youths) do," Joe continued as 'Brown Man', another customer in a small bar on Monday, in Clear Spring, chimed in.
"Back in my days, children used to be afraid to do bad things in the community. That still go on but things are slowly changing now," said Brown Man.
"Now, if a boy does something and you see and beat him, is war the parents want to war. It cannot work so. That is why some of the youths get themselves into trouble."
Portland, which reported only five murders up to April last this year, is among Jamaica's most peaceful parishes, and for the residents of Clear Spring, it will remain that way as long as parents continue being parents.
According to the residents, things could get that bad if some parents don't put their feet down.
"The parents are too young. You have a lot of children having children. The parents need to sit in and show their children love and support or it could get worse," declared Gene Minor, the owner of the small shop and bar.