In our last segment we told you about the shooting incidents in the city that left 3 men injured. Now we have been consistently reporting on the community policing initiatives in the Southside that are geared towards turning these vulnerable communities away from crime and violence. In fact the Eastern Police Division held another community event yesterday in the Mayflower area. But are these initiatives working? Senior Superintendent Chester Williams admits that their efforts alone can't completely eradicate crime but they can at least minimize it.
Sr. Supt Chester Williams, Commander, Eastern Division Southside
"It was a fun day for kids. They partook in several sporting activities and they were awarded prizes, medals and so forth for different categories of sporting events that they partook in on that day. I must say that the event was well attended and there are a number of persons who participated in the different disciplines and sporting disciplines. So I think it was a success and we will continue to do things like this in the various hotspots. Because what we want to do is to show these young people that you know there is an outlet rather than to be caught up in gangs or criminal activities."
Courtney Weatherburne
"We know at the surface level, you all have been doing a lot in terms of reaching out to the community - having these activities as you mentioned before. Bringing out the community, trying to build a connection between the police and the community which is very important. But these incidents that we've just spoken about and others, isn't that also an indication that there is still that intent to harm in those particular communities that they are still shoes brewing there?"
Sr. Supt Chester Williams, Commander, Eastern Division Southside
"Like I have always said before, we are not naive and we would never go around think that what we are doing will stop crime. We also understand that there will always be those who will want to commit crime. Our initiatives, our purpose is to see how best we can minimize the occurrences of crime. And I would want to think that in that area, we are succeeding. We are winning and despite what may have happened, or despite those who continue to perpetrate criminal acts, we will continue to do our community policing initiatives and in that same process, we will relentlessly pursue those who wants to commit crime. I am very tough on crime, but I also have that soft side of me which will work with those who want to see how nest they could change their way of life."
Williams told us they are also organizing an Eastern Division South Cup which will be a Basket Ball tournament. This initiative will encourage the youth of the southside to participate more in sports.
Email
Print