Hanover police replace curfew with ‘soca aerobics’

WESTERN BUREAU:

Days after a curfew ended in the Hopewell township in Hanover, the parish’s police returned to the community and engaged residents in an initiative dubbed ‘soca aerobics’, which is aimed at forging a partnership to blunt lawlessness and set the stage for peace and harmony.

The initiative, dubbed ‘Rise and Move, Hanover Soca Aerobics’, and which falls under the umbrella of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB), was executed in collaboration with the Hanover Neighbourhood Watch Council. It featured a morning social and an exercise event, which attracted residents from Hopewell and adjoining communities.

Corporal Monique Bartley, who is assigned to the parish’s CSSB, told The Gleaner that the interaction was held under the banner of neighbourhood watch groups in the parish, and was designed to create room for interaction with as many residents as possible.

“We decided to come out and have a health and wellness workout session with the residents; the aim is to bring the residents together with the members of the JCF,” she said. “That is what we at the Community Safety and Security Branch are about. We are also coordinating with the neighbourhood watch groupings, which is a part of our mandate.”

According to Bartley, Hanover’s CSSB has set itself a target of having some nine fully active neighbourhood watch groups in the parish by the end of this year.

“One of the things that we within the CSSB are trying to do is to engage the residents. We try our best to let them know our statistical standings and our aims, goals and mandate; and the mindset of our commissioner, and the mindset of our superintendent in charge of the parish,” she said.

As it relates to domestic violence, which has emerged as an area of significant concern in recent times, Bartley said as they continue to move forward with the morning exercise initiative, the CSSB will be looking at having a domestic violence prevention booth set up, so that participants can get any advice and guidance in how to address domestic challenges.

“So, at the end of this workout, persons will be able to engage all our officers concerning domestic violence, threats, disputes and any other matters of concern in the community, and hopefully, they will be instructed how best they can resolve their differences,” she said,

Over time, Bartley said the initiative will be introduced in other communities across Hanover, as the aim is to cover the entire parish.

Ricardo Fairman, who was a participant in the initial morning initiative, described the event as an excellent one, which he strongly believes will prove beneficial to both the police and the community.

“I want to say thanks to the Hanover CSSB branch and the Hanover Neighbourhood Watch group for such a tremendous initiative,” he told The Gleaner, saying that in addition to its overall motive, it provided an excellent workout and the opportunity to socialise.

Superintendent Andrew Nish, the police commander for Hanover, who was present and participated fully in the event, told The Gleaner that he was impressed with the initiative.

“Everything that the CSSB is always with the intention of getting the community together, and strengthening the partnership with the JCF, and allow for the sharing of ideas,” he said. “This morning’s event is no different, and the turnout is really impressive. It is good to see that the Hopewell community has responded in such a positive way, it is very encouraging.”

Nish went on to express the hope that with such a high level of participation between the community and the JCF, it will strengthen their relationship for the greater good.

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