BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 16, 2018 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — With the launch of the fourth Explorers Club, on Thursday April 12, Ministry of National Security’s National Crime Reduction and Prevention Strategy that is targeting young people in the Federation is reaping handsome dividends.
At a colourful and well attended ceremony held at the Deane Glasford Primary School in St. Peter’s, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Mr Osmond Petty oversaw the induction of 60 boys and girls into the newly formed St. Peter’s Explorers Club.
They join the meritorious ranks already established by the pioneering Mol-Phil Explorers Club that was formed in June last year which now has a membership of 150, the Shadwell Explorers Club that has membership of 40 which was formed in December 2017, and the St. Paul’s Explorers Club that was formed last month which has a membership of 55.
“Personally I am very pleased with what has happened here this evening and I hope that this initiative can build out over time,” said Mr Petty.
He announced that there will be a march on Saturday May 12 that will be led by the Explorers of St. Kitts. It will start from Lockhart Street and they will march down Central Street, down Church Street, across Liverpool Row, up Fort Street, back to Central Street, and into Independence Square where a parade will be held
“The four Explorers Clubs will be joined by a few other groups in St. Kitts and a number of visitors from overseas who will be here for a meeting,” observed Mr Petty.
At the end of the ceremony, he requested members of the Community Policing Initiative team to stand with the St. Peter’s Explorers Club members telling them “it is because of your hard work why they are here. I want to thank you personally for your initiative and your help.”
Members of the Community Policing Initiative, led by Inspector Rosemarie Isles-Joseph, were Sergeant Ricardo Sampson, Sergeant Shorna Francis-Edwards, Sergeant Paula Jacobs, Sergeant Donna Henderson, Corporal Hyacinth Taylor, Constable Lauston Percival, Constable Aidan Hendrickson, WC Niekisha Thomas, and Constable Mark Handley.
Constable Aidan Hendrickson was given the honour to be the leader of the group, and in his response he said: “I have to applaud the visionary work of Inspector Rosemarie Isles-Joseph who has shown her commitment to make a difference in the lives of the young people, not only of St. Peter’s but throughout the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.”
He also gave commendations to the Police High Command and the Ministry of National Security, especially Police Commissioner Ian Queeley and Permanent Secretary Mr Osmond Petty for their strong support in helping the police force to reach out to the young people in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“A special thanks also goes out to the parents and children of the St. Peter’s Explorers Youth Club because without your membership there will be no Explorers Youth Club,” added Officer Hendrickson.
Admitting that working with members of St. Peter’s Explorers will be a long journey, Officer Hendrickson said he was confident that with hard work, discipline and commitment, St. Kitts and Nevis will the turn the tide of youth violence and make the country the land where peace abounds.
The ceremony was attended by Major General (Ret.) Stewart Saunders, National Security Advisor; members of the Police High Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy, Assistant Commissioners of Police Merclyn Hughes and Terrence James; and Crime Reduction Specialist Dr Neals Chitan.
Also in attendance included Inspector Rosemarie Isles-Joseph, Founder and Coordinator of the Explorers Club Movement, Ms Valencia Syder, Principal at the Deane-Glasford Primary School, and a contingent from the Mol-Phil Explorers Club, while invocation was done by Pastor Ericson Cumberbatch, Force Chaplain.