Cops to monitor arcades, game centres

Police officers assigned duties in and around schools have been instructed to pay special attention to students on their way to and from school, and during the luncheon period.

Officers assigned to the special patrols will also pay particular attention to students gathering at public places, arcades and other games centres after school or during school. Other police officers on foot and mobile patrols, in addition to their normal duties, must observe and monitor the movements of students frequenting arcades and other game centres during school hours and take appropriate action where necessary. At certain schools, one plainclothes officer and two uniformed officers have been assigned duty on the compound of the schools in which illegal activities have been identified.

Ag Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs in an order sent to all police divisions noted, “It is our duty to prevent the committing of crimes and other infractions of the law. “The future of our nation depends on the youth; therefore it is imperative that they are effectively guided on the path that would lead them to realise their fullest potential,” said the Commissioner. He called on all officers to unite in displaying a high level of professionalism in the discharge of the initiative to ensure its success, saying the effective control of the scourge of school violence is in keeping with the motto “To Protect and Serve.” At the ASJA Boys College in Charlieville, principal Nazam Shah said the involvement of all the stakeholders is of vital importance in the fight against the scourge of school violence. He said that while the special patrols are important, the involvement of the PTA, the parents, teachers and religious bodies is also important.

Shah was high in praise of the move by Government to introduce the special patrols at schools. He said that it has impacted greatly and students are now less inclined to carry out any form of illicit activities in and out of school. Shah revealed that he has already alerted Chaguanas police to pay special attention to the malls on Thursday and Friday, when students are more inclined to carry out acts of indiscipline.