St Vincent minister of national security St Clair Leacock describes the presence of gangs within the education system as a “national crisis”.
Drawing from reports provided by the police high command and school administrators, he suggests several troubling realities and proposed solutions regarding gangs in schools.
Leacock reveals that gang activity is not limited to older students; while “Sixx and Seven” gangs are active in community college and secondary schools, he was also informed by principals that gangs have infiltrated primary schools as well.
He highlighted on Thursday a specific concern regarding young girls in schools who “aid and abet” male gang members and noted that many of these girls have expressed a desire to leave the gangs but feel trapped because they “don’t know how to get out”.
Leacock emphasizes that the state must reach young people before they are recruited, arguing that it is “too late” once a boy is already standing on a corner with a firearm.
To address this, he proposes that a specific Assistant Commissioner of Police be appointed with the sole responsibility of dealing with crime and violence in schools. This commissioner would be supported by technical units and superintendents.
He suggests a partnership with the Ministry of Education to develop school-based intervention programs that are rooted in evidence and include “school leaders and officers in the most affected schools”.
Leacock also proposes the return of a summer boot camp for young people to instill discipline and provide a constructive alternative to the “culture of gangsterism”.
