UTech security director urges residents to protect model community

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Old harbour, St Catherine:

Director of Safety and Security at the University of Technology, Robert Finzi-Smith, on Sunday urged residents of New Harbour Village in Old Harbour, St Catherine, to know their neighbours and their children's friends.

Finzi-Smith, was the guest speaker at the official launch of the New Harbour Village Citizens' Association Neighbourhood Watch Programme.

"If friend of your children cannot come through the front door, then they are not fit to associate with. You have to be vigilant or you will lose the ones you love to criminals.''

He told the residents that persons of ill-repute will try to disrupt the flow of the model community they are trying to create by using their children.

The effort to curtail crime with the formation of the neighbourhood watch was lauded by Minister of National Security Dwight Nelson, who called it a lawful step.

"It is remarkable that you are forming this neighbourhood watch. It will help the police in their drive for community policing, and I am proud to be invited. I am asking that you remain focused and do not let crime devalue your community,'' Nelson said.

Everald Warmington, member of parliament, said the programme as a step in the right direction.

"As one of the newer comm-unities, I am very honoured to be here and I know you will continue to be proud citizens,'' Warmington said

During the evening's function, a number of police personnel were honoured by the association for their community effort.

New Harbour Village, a gated community, has about 845 units and is about three years old.