Chag mayor to start junior council on crime prevention

AS part of the borough’s security initiatives, Chaguanas mayor Gopaul Boodhan has pledged to develop a junior council on crime prevention to ensure that the views of the borough’s youth are included in the fight against crime.

He was addressing the Chaguanas Borough Corporation’s annual Excellence in Education award ceremony at the corporation’s auditorium last week.

Boodhan said safety and security are integral to the borough’s development if Chaguanas is continued to be seen as a “place of hope” in the nation.

“Safety and security in Chaguanas is our number one priority. Chaguanas became the first city in the English speaking Caribbean to join the Global Strong Cities Network. This means that we have joined the global network of mayors, municipal-level policy makers and practitioners, who are united in building social cohesion and community resilience to counter violence and violent extremism in all its forms.”

This is why, boldly this evening I say, that all of us, our security agencies, our teachers, our PTA organisations, NGOs and religious leaders and parents here, that we with one voice, we will stop crime in any form against our young people. This must start here this evening, and we must do whatever it takes to make this a reality.”

And addressing the borough’s 89 top students – 52 CAPE scholarship winners and 37 SEA students, he said the road to success can be “long and dark and challenging,” but urged them to never give up on their goals and dreams.

“The sacrifices you have made to get to this stage are outstanding, and I urge you to keep up the hard work and try to positively contribute towards changing our borough and Trinidad and Tobago.

“One thing I have learnt about life, is that challenges will always come no matter who you are or what you do. What makes individuals distinguish themselves are the choices we make when confronted by the challenges.

“Often we cannot control what obstacles life throws at us, but we can always control our attitudes and approaches to these obstacles. It is how you react to life’s challenges that will ultimately decide who you will become.”