School violence and youth delinquency have been on the decline at schools in the St Patrick district since the formation of the Siparia Police Youth Club.Speaking at the club's tea party and fashion show held at Siparia West Secondary school on Sunday, club leader Ag Sgt Roger Worrell said since the club was formed in 2011, there have been no reports of crime or violence in the St Patrick East district.Saying the club was one of the largest in the country, Worrell said: "We are nearing 300 members and climbing.
Young people are eager to join and we have seen a marked decrease in juvenile delinquency." He explained that the club is continuing to sponsor youths with scholarships and bursaries."Last year, we helped a child called Nicholas Bhagwandeen who went to the world performing dance competition in Hollywood, USA and he was granted a scholarship and he is presently preparing to go to the United States on that scholarship," Worrell said.He added that a $19,400 scholarship was also given for a member to attend a police youth leaders' conference in the US.
"We are involved in computer literacy programmes, football, cricket and we are paying for 50 children from the police youth club to get guitar lessons free of charge," Worrell said.He said the members of the club would be going to schools in other parts of the country to speak of their experiences. Worrell also said that the club received 18 trophies in 18 months for excellence in a range of activities including football, cricket, drama, fashion and sports.He said that 250 children from the rural areas of Siparia, Palo Seco, Erin, Penal and Santa Flora will be taken on a one-day trip to Tobago.
"We will be the guests of the Tobago House of Assembly and the children will be exposed to different aspects of life to Tobago. For all of them it will be the first time they are going to Tobago," Worrell said.He also commended the team of voluntary police officers who are working with the pupils."This is a proactive way of dealing with crime because we already have seen a marked decrease in delinquency," Worrell said. He added that there were 60 police youth clubs across the country working with youths to encourage positive behaviour.
At the fashion show, the students displayed an array of creations including a "What not to Wear Segment." They also displayed Easter wear, followed by a Miss Siparia Fete Queen show. There was also an ethnic wear segment as well as a fusion dance and drama section.