Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the launch of the Renovation of Community Spaces under the Comm-Unity Resilience and Transformation (CREATE) Project, is a shared vision for safer communities and a more peaceful Jamaica.
Minister Chang, who delivered the keynote address at Friday’s launch at the Pegasus Hotel, stated that national security was one of the most critical foundations upon which the country’s economic and social fortunes must be built.
“It is crucial that there are safe communities, not only in terms of social services, but for the required economic output, therefore, our approach to reducing crime and creating a safer Jamaica has been deliberate, structured and guided by clear strategic objectives,” Dr. Chang said.
The security minister stated that the transformation of the security environment is the result of four interconnected phases. These are restoring control of the security environment and secondly, building the capacity of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to effectively control modern crime threats.
The third phase was to build trust, professionalism and confidence in our security system. The fourth phase of the government’s strategic approach to security and public order has been social and community renewal and transformation.
He shared that “the basis for development and transformation has to be a community initiative”, and noted that all the communities under the programme “have come a long way”.
The project was implemented by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) with funding from the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Four beneficiary communities under the programme are Majesty Gardens and Parade Gardens in Kingston, Grange Hill, Westmoreland and Norwood, St. James.
To date, some JM$36.8 million dollars have been expended on the project, and utilises Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), psychosocial support, case management, vocational and business development training and community partnerships to enhance community safety.