In a bid to make a dent in the increasing rate of gang violence among the nation's youths, Vision on Mission (Vom) is embarking on a new programme aimed at deterring them from a life of crime.The initiative entitled Operation Link-UP, Filling The Gap is targeting youth between the ages of 13 and 35, preparing them for the job market with skill training via government assistance programmes.Findings from the National Youth Policy have revealed that out of T&T's 1.3 million population approximately 400,000 are youths.
And, according to Vom's executive president Wayne Chance, more than 25 per cent of this figure reflects youths who are involved in different types of criminal offences involving both petty and serious crimes."More and more we are seeing our youths heading down a dangerous path and we feel the time has come for us to get involved. We have been successful in rehabilitating ex-offenders and we at Vom believe we can make some input in deterring youths from a life of crime. We are saying the time has come for them to put down their guns and work towards achieving positive things," Chance said.
"Jail is not nice, it is no place to be. I want the youths to stop believing this myth that it is alright to serve a jail term. This type of lawless behaviour is not accepted in any society."The first phase of the programme is expected to commence in various communities along the East-West Corridor in the upcoming weeks, followed by one-month seminars in conjunction with Government ministries in communities throughout the country for the next year.Chance said plans were also on stream to deploy 15 field officers in each community and establish youth committees to achieve this objective.