An innocent, defenseless twelve year old girl is brutally raped. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.” This tragedy and atrocity generated grief and outrage in the hearts of good people in Miami-Dade, Florida, in 1974, and Youth Crime Watch was birthed. North Miami Beach Senior High School was the birthplace, and students learned they could change their situation for the better by taking an active role in their school and community.

In this our beloved country it is our fervent prayer and resolve that evil shall not triumph. The fight against this evil is on many fronts as churches, organizations and government agencies seek to reclaim and retain what is priceless and pure.

Some good young people decided to do something as well. From July 20-23 they committed themselves to three and a half days of training for Youth Crime Watch of Anguilla (YCWA). Under the experienced and enthusiastic tutelage of Terry Jones, and the visionary leadership of Pastor Elliot Harrigan, the nineteen trainees explored and embraced the dynamics, principles and strategies that effect the prevention of crime and reduction of detrimental behaviour among youth.

After its initiation in February, 2007, YCWA faltered due to its need for adult training and a refresher course. Pastor Harrigan and Mr. Jones thus saw the need for a Trainer of Trainers workshop which would enable the participants to be trainers themselves and thereby ensure the continuity of the program.

This bold undertaking was fully financed by the Social Security Board. In his engaging address to the trainees the board’s director, Mr. Timothy Hodge, detailed in simple terms how everyone was affected by crime. Mr. Hodge pointed out that crime increase always undermines a country’s industry, its employment levels, and individual income. These in turn reduce the social security payments from employees and employers. An end result? The Social Security Board becomes less able to provide coverage to people in their time of need. Since crime prevention then is everybody’s responsibility, Mr. Hodge empha-sized the value the Social Security Board places on an ongoing program such as Youth Crime Watch of Anguilla.
Officers Shawn Lake and Augustina Carbon ably represented the Royal Anguilla Police Force. Enlightenment and laughter zigzagged through the room as Constable Lake outlined the dynamics of crime and law enforcement. The guy (gentleman) is good.
Youth Crime Watch (YCW) operates with nine key components: (confidential) crime reporting; youth patrols (in schools): crime, drug and violence prevention education; bus safety; mentoring; conflict resolution; mediation; peer and cross-age teaching; and action projects. Most YCW groups will choose no more than four of these as their areas of focus.
So what are the benefits of establishing a YCW program? It provides cost effective crime prevention, and creates a youth-led initiative that is owned and operated by young people for young people. It promotes effective crime reporting, develops leadership and organizational skills, as well as accountability and responsibility, and increases motivation. YCW programs also bridge the generation gap by developing effective youth-adult partnerships, and improves safety, health, peacefulness, thus creating an atmosphere conducive to learning and living.
“So how can I help,” you say? Encourage your child/grandchild/nephew/niece to join YCWA. Or if you are a youth then join us! Adults who care about young people are warmly welcomed. What was most liberating was to see from YCW statistics that crime can be reduced and virtually eliminated, even in “bad” areas! Yes, there are serious, dangerous situations that are threatening our youth, our country, our future. But we all can make a difference. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.” Let’s do something!
- Contributed

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