Cobbler: More jobs for youth will help reduce crime rate

Wider job opportunities and career exploration should be seen as key areas in tackling the high levels of crime amongst the island’s youth, a senior police officer said Saturday.

Inspector Roland Cobbler made the observation as he spoke at the closing ceremony of this year’s installment of the ‘Project Youth Elevate Scheme’ at the Police Boys and Girls Club in Bay Street.

The project, which is organized by Barbados Police Service (BPS) in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Barbados, first started in 2020 as a way to better mentor young citizens in the best practices of conflict resolution and soft skills needed for the world of work.

Inspector Cobbler, who is the liaison to the project on behalf of the BPS, says on-the-job experience plays an important role in developing discipline among young people.

“In my mind, this was an important aspect of your programme, since creating the opportunity for career exploration gives children a greater exposure to the working world they would become part of in the future. Your experience in meeting the various career professionals during the programme and having dialogue with them should assist you in connecting the dots between school and career, in a way that should keep you motivated to give your best at school at all times, so that you can graduate with the knowledge and skills that you need for the future,” he said.

He said with levels of violence and delinquency still uncomfortably high on the island, programmes such as this are needed in order to safeguard the future leaders of the island.

“This process of diversion provides the opportunity to intervene early before at-risk children and young people begin offending. By diverting young people away from crime, and facilitating their rehabilitation, young people are more likely to live full and productive lives, and communities will be safer.” (SB)