Urging scouts to work hard and avoid crime, Commis-sioner of Police Henry Greene on Sunday presented $200,000 to the newly formed West Berbice Scout Group during its investiture ceremony at the Fort Wellington Police Station on Sunday last.
The commissioner who is president of the Table Tennis Association also promised to provide the group with a tennis table and equipment.
He complimented head of the West Berbice Scouts Group, Deputy Superinten-dent of Police Stephen Mansell for his dedication to the youths.
Mansell expressed gratitude to the commissioner for the money and said it would go a long way for the group and he assured the commissioner that his scout group stands beside him. Mansell is the first police officer to become a scout leader.
The commissioner who initiated the reforming of the scouts group so as to contribute to the development of youths urged them to work hard for what they want and not turn to a life of crime.
The commissioner said it is important to mould youths and bring them up on the right path. He noted that they have a lot of energy and time on their hands and if they are not channelled in the right way they can be led to a life of crime and drugs.
He said persons involved in crime have “nurseries” where they encourage young people and train them to get involved in criminal activities.
He warned the scouts not to look at some people with fancy cars and massive houses as role models, because they may be drug dealers.
Greene advised them that nothing happens overnight and that life is a struggle and they have to work hard for what they want. He urged them to take their education seriously and to focus on being productive adults.
The commissioner spoke of his own humble beginnings; of being brought up by a single mother, along with his siblings. He said even though life was a struggle they all “made strides.” He said he studied hard and achieved his goal of becoming a lawyer. He joined the police force to write A-Levels, he said, but could not acquire enough money and “ended up staying in the force and was able to develop myself.”
He said he hoped more people in the community would be committed to support scouting and youth work. He pointed out that when the focus is not placed on youths, some of them tend to go astray.
According to him, an active scout group was set up in Georgetown under the supervision of Mr. Bovell who is also supervising the Linden scouts. He said the West Berbice scout group was formed initially by former Commander of that division, Assistant Commissioner George Vypius.
He said West Berbice should have about 200 scouts and called on the scouts to identify new members to build the group.
He also called on the new Commander Stephen Merai, who was present, to identify prospective scouts from areas, like the Corentyne and Angoy’s Avenue.
Among those present were assistant commissioners Vyphuis and Clinton Conway and Police Public Relations Officer John Sauers.
