Approaches to safer neighbourhoods (Part I)
EVERY citizen deserves to feel safe in their homes and while walking the streets of their communities. Unfortunately, this feeling of unsafe neighbourhoods is present in many societies around the world; it does not matter whether it’s  the developed or undeveloped world, though the circumstances and peculiarities may differ from country to country. The Number One concern in most cases is the level of violence and crime.
In several instances, programmes are designed to essentially reduce the opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour and disorder and increase the perception of safety in the community.
In this week’s  column, we will look at one approach at creating safer neighbourhoods. It is part of a comprehensive strategy under the Citizen Security Programme of the Ministry of Home Affairs and executed by the Community Action Component.
In each of the 10 target communities in Regions  4 and  6, the CAC has initiated a series of programmes aimed at confronting some of the key issues that lead to violence and anti-social behaviour.
It is proactively addressing the symptoms of violence and prevention and how to cope with any eventuality. Here we will look at one aspect : INTIMATE/DOMESTIC PARTNER VIOLENCE PREVENTION. The concept fits into the age-old practice that prevention is better than cure.
On a daily basis, citizens are confronted with reports in the media  on the sometimes gruesome reality of violence, often resulting  in serious injury and death. Many of these involve members within the family or close associates.
We dropped in at one of the sessions at the Plaisance Primary School where a lively discussion on a wide range of issues was in progress. Guided by an experienced Counsellor and Social Worker, the more than  30 young people from that community were surprisingly open and frank in bringing to  the fore a variety of issues they feel contribute to violence and anti-social behaviour.
These range from verbal and sexual abuse by partners, in school, and even the home; parent-children relationship; perceived over-protection, and even favouritism. The diverse group, which includes single mothers, while sharing personal experiences and learning of those of others, had the benefit of expert advice on how to cope in various situations.
Fortunately, the sessions for this group were well advanced, and a post-session brief with this writer indicates that participants are emerging more informed, enlightened, and better equipped to handle situations. They also see value in guiding others, including parents and are confident that there will be some level of behavioural change in the community.
Consultant for this exercise in Region  4, Grace Roberts, explained that these sessions are replicated in the other three target communities:  Sophia, Agricola/McDoom, and Buxton/Annandale. She explained that many people do not recognise a problem until it is far gone with this generally moving from a verbal level to one of violence.
They cover issues of knowing themselves;  understanding and helping  others;  the diversity of members in a community  and the importance of appreciating and respecting  it; the  parent-children relationship, and counselling others.
“People have to learn[to] live and live with others, looking out for self and others”, she declared.  Young people are the nucleus of any society, not only because they will be the adults of tomorrow, they are in the most favourable position to influence those older than them as well as those younger.
Creating safer neighbourhoods may seem the responsibility of Government. This is true to some extent in the provision of at least the basic socio-economic infrastructure, but the community and its institutions have an equal role. This is why support for initiatives such as the INTIMATE/DOMESTIC PARTNER VIOLENCE PREVENTION is vital.
Residents and their leaders need to recognise the benefits of a safer neighbourhood. Apart from the effects on children, people will spend more time in productive activities and at the same time create an environment for investment opportunities.