Support for Curfew for St. James Youth

The St. James police are receiving wide-scale support for their move to implement a curfew for students in the parish.

Under the new directive from Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in charge of the parish, Steve McGregor, all students 17 years and younger must be off the streets by 9:00 p.m. The only exception is if the child is in the company of a parent.

“I totally agree with Senior Superintendent McGregor,” said Coordinator for the Citizen, Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), Adenike Stephenson.

“Too often, you see students on the streets in their uniforms way after school hours and when they should be home doing their homework or in bed. An initiative like this can only bring positive results,” he said.

Chairman of the Peace Management Initiative’s (PMI) St. James Chapter, Rev. Everton Jackson, implored citizens of the parish to support the initiative.

“This curfew…will assist in keeping the youngsters out of trouble and it will contribute to responsible parenting. It will also assist in keeping the children’s minds on school, giving them a better chance at life. The PMI is willing to support anything that will help in the fight against crime,” he said.

For her part, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gloria Henry, said her organisation is “fully on board” with the directive from SSP McGregor.

“It is a welcome move and something we believe is workable,” she said.

SSP McGregor said that the police are concerned that criminals have been preying on the vulnerability of the youth, luring them into illegal activities and turning their minds against school.

He urged full cooperation and support for the curfew. “We cannot do this without the support of the community leaders or the support from the parents,” he said.

SSP McGregor informed that “we successfully implemented a similar initiative when I was head of the Western Kingston Police Division and I don’t see any reason why it can’t work here in St. James.”