LAST week, this column explored the concept of a community and the expectations, benefits and desires to make it safe. It is well known that ten communities in Regions 4 and 6 that have been identified for special attention are being used as models through a comprehensive package under the Citizen Security Programme. Under this programme, community action utilises a multi-pronged approach, with a series of programmes, activities and projects aimed at building safe neighbourhoods through engaging a softer approach at addressing issues of crime and violence through various social interventions
We continue to look at this intervention in one of the pilot communities, Agricola/McDoom.
Rapid Impact Projects are small-scale projects designed to rehabilitate existing or underutilised infrastructure, or build new facilities for social, recreational or educational needs of community members. Key to this is that they are all identified by the communities themselves.
In the case of Agricola/McDoom, the community was clear on three projects — a basketball court, a pavilion, and rehabilitating and equipping the community centre. These are among the most successful projects executed under the programme.
Community Action Officer, Natasha Corrica, in recognizing the efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Inter-American Development Bank, noted that with these facilities, young people are now able to channel  their energies in a positive direction.
Community stalwart and leader Pastor Ivan John confidently declared that the community is a very safe neighbourhood, and those facilities will go a long way in keeping the youths off the streets. He dubbed them as a showpiece of Agricola/McDoom, and people from all over the country will come to play and compete.
Pastor John, along with other community leaders, recognized that funding of the projects was limited, and although the foundation has been laid, they committed themselves to ensure that other amenities are put in place. These include washrooms, a canteen, changing rooms, and fencing. These, he said, would be done through efforts from the community as well as businesses and individuals from outside.
Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee said these projects are significant contributors towards citizens’ security. It is taking steps, implementing measures and initiatives with the involvement of the citizens. It is beyond the work of the police and law enforcement agencies.
It is an all-embracing approach with sociological, economic and legal manifestations, and the government will work in partnership with civil society and the community to realize this.
At the commissioning exercises of the projects, several prominent persons, including Mayor Hamilton Green, were present. They noted that there is a bright future for the youths in the community to excel in basketball, football, and boxing in particular.
To build capacity and support these projects and associated activities, sports gears and equipment in a number of disciplines were handed over to clubs in the community.