From left: Pastor Marty from Texas, USA, Pastor Diane Fletcher, Inspector Stephanie Lindsay-Clarke and Pastor of Church on the Rock, France Fletcher. - Contributed

The St. Andrew North Police Division recently teamed up with the Community Relations, Community Safety Branch and Church on the Rock to facilitate the annual youth summer camp in that division. The camp, which was hosted on the church grounds from August 8 to 18, was held under the theme 'Saving and Transforming At Risk Souls' (STARS).

Since its inception by the Community Relations Department of the Constant Spring Police Station in the summer of 2000, the turnout has grown significantly. This year more than 600 youngsters between five and 19 benefited. The youngsters hailed from several communities in and around Constant Spring, Tivoli Gardens, Wilton Gardens and Trench Town.

On The Beat caught up with Inspector Stephanie Lindsay-Clarke, head of the Community Safety Branch at Constant Spring. She explained that it was Pastor France Fletcher and his wife Dianne who approached the police and expressed a desire to do something for the community. The camp was identified as the perfect opportunity, and so, bolstered by Pastor Marty and a team from Texas, USA, the group set about making the camp a success

"The theme was carefully and deliberately chosen. A spiritual and social component was combined to improve the behavior of the campers," she said, adding that the children were schooled in lessons such as how to develop self esteem, the effects of crime and violence, how to deal with sexual and physical abuse, safe sex and an abundance of biblical truths. Some of the older children were taught skills in art and hand-craft. There were motivational programmes as well as programmes specially directed at troubled children.

Conflict resolution

She further stated that in addition to the regular avenues of selecting campers, specially selected children were identified through the Safe Schools Programme. "These children, who faced challenges in socialising with their peers normally, were invited to join the camp. Through a programme of conflict resolution and various remedial classes these children learned how to better socialise and blend in with other children at the camp."

She intimated that the programme would not end with the closing of the camp, but that a system would be put in place to monitor the children in order to ensure that they do not revert to old attitudes.

On the Beat salutes all the persons who made the camp possible. Special thanks to the parents who allowed their children to be a part of such a splendid event.

On the Beat is a production of the Constabulary Communication Network. For further information contact Sergeant Dahlia Garrick and Constables Richard Minott and Patrick Walters at 978-2729.