Continue walking down straight and narrow path – COP

For over 23 years, the Coastguard summer programme has impacted the lives of over 2,282 young people and according to Commissioner of Police (COP) Renold Hadaway, no one who has ever participated in the programme has had a run-in with the law.

Hadaway, who was speaking at the closing ceremony of the summer programme at the Coastguard base in Calliaqua, said that the programme is one of the initiatives of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) geared at curbing crime and violence.{{more}}

“Records have shown…that to date no one…who has embarked on this training would have committed any infraction in respect to crime and violence,” he declared.

Hadaway also stated that the programme is a testament of the continued commitment of the police to the youth of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

“These programmes have the potential to help you and others who would, from time to time, embark on this undertaking to improve in your academic performance, your self-esteem and other outcomes, as you keep focused and motivated throughout,” he stated.

The COP also encouraged the participants to keep the torch lit and continue walking down the straight and narrow path.

Hadaway noted that after taking part in the programme, participants have returned to their homes and communities and become community leaders, using the tools they learned from the programme.

Featured speaker at the closing ceremony Kezron Walters encouraged participants to always be prepared, as in life, anything can happen. “No amount of preparation can adequately prepare you for something that you do not expect,” he said.

He recalled the teenager who died early last Friday morning in a vehicular accident and stated that nothing can prepare a person for death, especially the emotional turmoil which takes place.

Walters, a lawyer by profession, observed that it is the way in which we deal with these unexpected situations that defines character.

He also stated that he would like the participants to have perseverance when going through life.

The summer programme was conducted from July 11 to August 16 and held in three phases.

Participants came from as far as Chateaubelair on the Leeward side, to Georgetown on the Windward side and Bequia in the Grenadines.

The participants were exposed to: history of the Coastguard; personal development; leadership development; conflict resolution; human sexuality; substance abuse and prevention; nutrition, the importance of healthy diets; importance of being a good citizen of SVG; non-communicable diseases; sexual reproductive health and rights; planned parenthood; first aid and CPR; knots; navigation; safety at sea; boat handling; swimming; community activities; fisheries conservation; team building exercises; treasure hunt and educational tours to the VINLEC power plant in Lowmans Bay.(CM)