Churches can halt crime in Laventille

THE EDITOR: The Laventille elders have asked faith based organisations to assist in solving the crime situation in Laventille. I think that this is a great opportunity for the churches to get involved in eradicating the relatively new phenonemon of criminal behaviour among the youths. Crime will continue to flourish unless there are people with courage and faith willing to enter the dens of iniquity. The Government’s solution of throwing more money into Laventille has only assisted in giving the criminals more money to buy better weapons. Gang warfare and revenge killing is nothing new to human behaviour. In Vancouver, British Columbia revenge killing among the Indian population is common place. The police has not been able to intervene sufficiently enough to stop the bloodshed there.

Policing must be geared towards prevention of criminal activities. That can only happen when community and religious based organisations become pro-active. The problems in Laventille may stem from a lack of proper parental guidance and a lack of love in the homes. Single parenting is a challenge and the Government must look at ways of assisting these young mothers through programmes in Laventille. One of the problems in Trinidad is a lack of data. No one knows how many single parents are in Laventille or anywhere else, therefore no concrete solutions can be made to address a problem that is not identified or is deliberately not being identified.

During the 1950s and 60s gang violence was threatening to destroy New York City. Cops were being fire bombed from buildings. Killing a cop was a mark of stature for a gang member. What changes occurred during those years in New York City? No it was not Giuliani’s crime plan that solved the problem. A Pentecostal preacher named David Wilkerson entered New York City and began a series of revival meetings. The results were the conversion of gang members and a change in the city’s crime rate. The most famous gang leader to be converted was Nikki Cruz a Puerto Rican boy who had murdered twenty-six people. Time Square Church in the heart of New York City still stands as a testament to the work of the church. Prayer walks, crusades, house meetings and a renewal of true spirituality can go a long way in solving the problems in Laventille. Can someone hear the cry of the Laventille elders....before it is too late?

KHEM HARRINARINE
Port-of-Spain