Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Kingston Mayor, Desmond McKenzie, chats with the Rev. Patricia Hall before the Presidential Click Police Youth Club's thanksgiving service at Faith and Hope Deliverance Ministry, Kingston, on Sunday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
RESIDENTS OF Tivoli Gardens and the police force have had strained relations for the past 40 years, marked by police allegations of the community being a gang den and residents' countercharges of abuse of power by the security forces.
However, the Presidential Click Youth Club, located in the west Kingston community, was determined to improve those relations. The club has been around since 2001 and was co-founded by community leader, Michael 'Dudus' Coke.
Speaking yesterday at a thanksgiving service held at the Faith and Hope Deliverance Ministry in the area, the Rev. Patricia Hall, who delivered the sermon, said Tivoli Gardens could become a model community in spite of its association with violence.
Rev. Hall said she hoped the community would never be torn apart by internal gang feuds.
"I would love to see the entire west Kingston come together as one," she said.
Smartly attired in black-and-white uniform, the members of the club sat in the front row with guest speaker and Kingston Mayor, Desmond McKenzie, who commended the group for their efforts in fostering a better relationship with the police.
HAPPY ABOUT YOUTH CLUB
"I am happy to know that a police youth club could be formed in Tivoli Gardens," the mayor said.
Karen Hylton, the club's public relations officer, noted that since the organisation's inception, it had adopted a cluster at the home for the elderly in Denham Town, and had provided care for the elderly.
"We also keep at least two treats per year for the children, one in Christmas and the other in August. The club also convenes a treat for the children at the Stony Hill Children's Home twice per year," Ms. Hylton added.
