The Ravensmead Community Policing Forum (CPF) joined the police on Thursday 20 March at schools in the area as part of the Safer School Programme.
Lucian Davids, chair of the CPF, says the focus of the visit to Eureka Primary and St. Andrews Technical High School was on human rights.
“The first stop for the partners against crime was Eureka Primary School where approximately 100 students were in attendance. The CPF was introduced to the Grade 3 classes and explained their roles and responsibilities in the community. The CPF delegation was led by its chair Lionel Armonville. The local police staff introduced themselves and pamphlets were handed to the students, focusing on the rights of children and how they could make contact with the police should they need assistance. The sessions were handled by various officers from the Ravensmead police. The main topics highlighted were bullying, lying and stealing; and how this all contributes to the crime they see in the community and the visit was concluded by an interactive activity to help them remember the emergency helpline,” says Davids.
CPF importance
The next stop was St. Andrews Technical High School, with approximately 300 Grade 8 students.
“The secretary of the CPF, Dawn Marcus, addressed the young minds, outlining the importance of the CPF in the community and how vital their support would be to the structure. Additionally, she also shared about the functions and services of the Victim Empowerment Room. I shared with the youth the relational account of what school life was like and how unsuspecting youth get caught in the trap. The topics discussed were gangsterism, misuse of drugs, and Gender Based Violence.
These interventions are part of ongoing campaigns to offer hope to the youth of Ravensmead,” says Davids.
