Most of the callers who called in to the program this afternoon, in fact proposed REPRESSIVE measures to curb the escalating crime perpetrated by young people.
While to me, that certainly is also necessary, not dealing PREVENTATIVELY with youngsters, will not entire solve the problem of youth delinquency.
Rather, the crime will simply shift to other areas of society and be be 'mutated' , to the new set of circumstances.
It is important that we get the the MOTIVE of the criminal intent of young people and of people in general, if we are to resolve these problems other than responding and fighting the symptoms of their behavior.
I therefore believe that society must find a way, to MENTALLY or PSYCHOLOGICALLY connect with our youth.
In other words, we need to get in their minds to UNDERSTAND their thinking and motives for engaging in asocial and criminal activities.
Perhaps therefore, the Island Government of St. Martin and the Collectivity of Saint Martin establish a joint work-group of psychologists, social workers, teachers, ex-cons, etc. to come up with an island-wide save our youth project.
This should include for instance;
1. Involving all the schools on the island to dedicate part of their classes-time to a particular section of this project on the same days (synergy)
2. Involving all churches, talk-shows, etc. etc.
3. Design a very extensive and informative (anonymous) questionnaire for ALL children to participate in with questions about their situation at home, on the streets, at school, their dreams, wishes, fears, desires, where they get weapons, how they get these weapons etc. etc.
4. Have a special website for young people to express themselves and also to post the questionnaire on.
5. Organize a large, joint public forum on fighting crime
6. etc.
I would like to believe that such a project would be able to give us the best and the most complete insight into the minds of our kids and thus into the motives that make them 'click'
These are just a few suggestions, to contribute towards addressing a very serious and escalating problem, that will sooner or later totally paralyze our economy and social life if not brought under control..
I am willing to completely discard this idea for those who are willing to also express any better ideas.
However, doing nothing is no option.
Hoping that the Authorities on both sides of the island would be interested in taking this and other initiatives by the public into consideration
.
After all, too often it is said that the authorities alone can not solve the crime.
With respect,
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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