Laventille in good hands of elders council

THE EDITOR: Allow me the opportunity through your popular column to express my deep appreciation and unbridled acceptance of the work of the Council of Elders of Laventille in fostering a rekindling of community camaraderie in Laventille and environs. I refer specifically not only to the overwhelming success of this untiring organisation’s efforts at forging peace treaties and co-operation among formally warring gang groups, but also in demonstrable belief in the people of Laventille by the staging of the Laventille Junior Calypso Monarch competition at the St Barbs Basket ball court, a so-called “crime hot spot.” The courage, belief and responsiveness of residents of Laventille are certainly something to admire. To those who participated and those who braved the many negatives to witness this event, words cannot express or characterise your gesture.

No one can envy the Council of Elders of Laventille its reward for making Laventille once again a place where all can feel free to walk any time of day or night. There is more to be done however, but what is certain is that the elders are on the right track and are making things happen. We cannot ignore its plans for revitalising economic and commercial activities that will ensure social stability through employment generation, training and retraining/educational initiatives. I certainly look forward to the launch of the elders house to house social intervention survey which I am told is designed to document the problems of each household and to devise solutions thereafter. What a tremendous effort/idea. I trust that other stakeholders and the protective service system of the country will lend their support for this Herculean task. A task I am sure will be executed, but with the grace of God, the goodwill of volunteer residents and conscientious nationals.

The elders have said time and time again that no crime plan can be complete without that full and active participation of the community and interventions devised by the affected residents themselves. To this end the banking community, relevant government agencies, the business community and well-to-do members in the society must stop playing games and make genuine rather than tokenistic gestures to solve the problem of crime, youth delinquency, poverty, un-employment and the abandonment of traditional values to which Laventille has been subjected, and which are the root causes of the problems of which Laventille and environs is a mere microscopic representation. Businesses need to do more. Government needs to do more. The banking and financial institutions need to do more. Parents need to do more.

Teachers need to do more. Legitimate community leaders need to do more. Religious leaders need to do more. The parliamentary representatives and local government officials need to do more. The police need to be more sensitive and work with the community in a concerted effort to deal with criminal activities when it surfaces. I am sure I speak for all of Laventille when I say hats off to the elders and may the Almighty continue to guide your efforts; for Laventille is depending on the “fruits” of your providential intercession at this time.

ALFRED GEORGE
Trou Macaque
Laventille