US-backed CREATE project to transform five Jamaican communities

Five Jamaican communities long burdened by poverty, crime, and violence ha ve been selected for a transformative US$2 million (approximately J$317 million) initiative aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing criminal activity.

The two-year project, dubbed Comm-Unity Resilience and Transformation (CREATE), will focus on Parade Gardens in Kingston, Majesty Gardens in St Andrew, Gregory Park in St Catherine, Norwood in St James, and Grange Hill in Westmoreland.

The project will prioritise building trust and collaboration between local residents and law enforcement, while strengthening grassroots networks. Activities under CREATE include renovating and securing community spaces such as youth centres and recreational areas, providing skills training and support services to youth and families, and implementing crime prevention strategies.

"This project is about more than reducing crime--it's about transforming lives," said Kimberly Seymour Brown, project coordinator for CREATE.

"By working together--government, civil society, private sector, and communities--we can build a safer, stronger Jamaica where youth are empowered, and opportunities replace violence," she added.

Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy, Amy Tachco, echoed this sentiment at last week's launch in Kingston.

'Through specialised training and the provision of resources, we are supporting Jamaica's efforts to strengthen law enforcement's ability to combat gangs, including by steering at-risk youth away from organised crime and toward activities that build up their community and their character," Tachco said.

CREATE is being implemented through a partnership between the Pan American Development Foundation, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the US Embassy in Kingston. The initiative is funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.