Clarendon cops upbeat about GRAPE

Even before the formal introduction of GRAPE, the Clarendon police say they were integrally involved in trying to rescue delinquent youngsters in the parish.

Senior Superintendent of Police Dathan Henry, head of the Clarendon police, told a Gleaner Development Forum in Clarendon last week that talking to some of them one-on-one has led to many lives being turned around.

Sharing the stories of two former gunmen, Henry said the intervention of the police represents how the country as a whole can benefit if men turn from their wretched ways.

"If we can help save 20 or 30 boys every year, we would be saving this nation millions of dollars down the road, as well as a lot of people heartache and distress," Henry said.

One instance

Telling the story of one of the men, Henry said he came from St Elizabeth to Clarendon and became involved in criminality.

"When I (was) finish talking to him, he went back St Elizabeth and went back to his farming. He now has a pickup (van), supplying things right around this community. Every time he passes, he stops and says I saved his life," Henry said.

"He says the gun that he had, when him done dismantle it and has thrown away the pieces, is only when God comes they will be able to find the pieces to put that weapon together again."

Henry said he was also instrumental in getting another young man into a HEART Trust/NTA programme where he successfully completed the welding course and is now gainfully employed.

"He's helping himself, producing and these are things they were doing before. And out of those experiences, we develop this programme to say listen to me, we can help more people and more youngsters," the senior cop says.

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