Homeland Security Ministry Rolls Out New Youth Crime Prevention Initiatives
Director of Policy and Community Support in the Ministry of Homeland Security, Zaheer Ali, says the government is advancing targeted interventions to support vulnerable youth and reduce criminal involvement.
Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday, he highlighted two initiatives the Ministry has launched to tackle youth criminality — a specialised psychosocial intervention and educational engagement programme, as well as a National Parenting Seminar. He said both initiatives are now underway to help protect children and steer them away from crime.
« For too long, I believe that we have left a space between our nation’s youth and the society. We have spoken about a society raising a child, a community raising a child, but sometimes we haven’t manifested that in a way that we should. And then we complain when a gang leader or a gang member takes that space to be able to nourish and promote that particular illegality where that child is concerned. So it’s an opportunity to close that gap and to make a strong statement to these children that we care about you, we are interested in your development, we recognise that you are the future of Trinidad and Tobago. »
The initiatives are being delivered through a multi-sector team of psychologists, social workers, medical professionals, educators, and sporting figures.
Mr. Ali stressed that youth programmes must be complemented by parental support, noting calls from citizens to hold parents accountable while also educating and assisting them.
He explained that the interventions target Form One students, a group identified as particularly vulnerable.
Mr. Ali also pointed to a broader policy shift, emphasising that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem.
« I really want to acknowledge the Honourable Minister, because when I consulted him and the Permanent Secretaries, I was given the confidence, I was given the support, and he indicated that we cannot shoot our way out of this, we cannot charge our way out of this, and prevention, prevention, prevention. »
He added that the programme has already been introduced in several schools, including El Dorado West Secondary, Signal Hill Secondary, and Tranquillity Secondary.
He emphasised that these interventions are designed to prevent stigmatisation of schools and to show students that society cares about their development.
