Last week’s report that Justice Minister Ana Richardson had issued a decree to designate Dutch Cul de Sac, St. Peters, Ebenezer and South Reward districts as zones for stricter law enforcement in connection with nuisance and criminal behaviour by truant students and loitering juveniles raised a few eyebrows. Some were concerned about the prospect of having police monitor compliance with the Compulsory Education Ordinance by children, but many, including parents and teachers, seem to agree this is necessary.
A significant number of local high schools are concentrated in this general area, creating a lot of movement by youngsters in the street. Even though most students wear uniforms, this makes it difficult to control their whereabouts.
To be sure, delinquency around schools is nothing new and certainly not limited to St. Maarten. However, government has the obligation to ensure a safe learning environment as best it can.
Of course, repression alone won’t do the trick, as experience has taught. That’s why the minister’s initiative to hold the country’s first National Juvenile Delinquency Symposium September 6-8 is quite welcome.
Stakeholders will discuss establishing a comprehensive system that supports at-risk youths and their families. After all, social circumstances are often at the root of the problem.
More should also be done to keep young people busy with worthwhile things such as sports and other positive forms of recreation. Despite the best efforts of those directly involved, structural investments in related facilities and programmes are still sorely lacking.
But of perhaps greater importance is to actively engage potential troublemakers early rather than treat them as outcasts even before they become such. This complicated yet crucial issue obviously requires an inclusive and participatory approach.
