Jack Straw, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (foreground), prepares to make his presentation to the Caribbean Senior Command Security Course, United Kingdom Law Enforcement Assistance to Jamaica and the Caribbean, held at Mona Visitors Lodge and Conference Centre at the University of the West Indies yesterday. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
UNEMPLOYED YOUTH are stepping into the criminal ranks replacing dons displaced by Kingfish said Minister of National Security Dr. Phillips yesterday.
Dr. Phillips was speaking together with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at a reception for the British-sponsored Caribbean Senior Command Training Course held at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.
"With many of the 'Kingfish' of crime out of the way, a second tier of criminals have simply sought to compensate for the loss of income from drugs by expanding their activities in extortion and robbery," he said.
MOSTLY 15-29 YEAR-OLDS
According to a recent study cited by the Minister, 75 per cent of perpetrators as well as victims of violent crime are from the 123,000 unemployed 15-29 year-olds.
The Community Security Initiative (CSI), a social intervention project for communities targeted by Kingfish will begin next week, he said. Another phase of the Lift Up Jamaica programme which is scheduled to start next month, will further occupy youth by giving them employment in infrastructure projects.
