IN a bid to keep Linden youths meaningfully occupied, ‘E’ Division Commander Calvin Brutus is working with members of the community and social workers on several youth-empowerment projects.The senior superintendent told this newspaper that the programmes target youths between the ages of eight to 18 in Christianburg, Blueberry Hill, Victory Valley, Silvertown/Green Valley, One Mile/½ Mile, Canvas City, Block 22, Wisroc, West Watooka and Mabura.

There are also groups established at Amelia’s Ward, Bamia, Silver Hill, Kairuni, Ituni and Kwakwani. Each group consists of at least 30 members.

The groups hold classes in cookery, sports and computer training on Saturdays and holidays in these communities with support from social workers.
They are hoping to team up with youths from ‘F’ Division for the Under-15 and Under-17 games and to tour places of interest.

Brutus said the division has been involved in several social activities in order to foster better relations with members of the community. The division recently constructed the fence around the Mabura Primary School.

And with assistance from members of the community, they have also rehabilitated the Community Centre at Victory Valley, re-paved the ground and erected a chain-link fence at the football area and renovated St Mary’s Primary School auditorium.

The senior police officer also pointed out that in all the youth groups, craft classes are held, while staffers at the Linden Hospital Complex do First Aid training.

Apart from these social programmes, Brutus said ‘E’ division also donated sports gear to the youths in the various communities and are looking to partner with the Ministry of Education to get sponsors for youths to enrol at the Linden Technical Institute.

The division is hoping to organise a Day of Sports at the Kwakwani Community Centre for youths in the riverain communities. There is a Chaplin service and officers counsel victims and relatives affected by serious crimes and engage youths in public speaking and lectures.