Crimes committed by young offenders may be on the rise in the territory, but far more than blame, youths need the community’s support to reverse that trend, said some attendees at a recent conference on crime.
In many ways, today’s society tends to enable young people’s involvement in crime, said Elmore Stoutt, a government truancy officer, at the conference. Mr. Stoutt blamed various factors for youth crime: an economic shift from fishing and farming, less involvement with extended family members, younger parents, and more influence from the mass media.
“The value system which guided the great citizens of this country in the past is no more; the majority of our young people are guided by what is prevalent: materialism, instant gratification, greed, vulgarity and violence,” Mr. Stoutt said.
Others echoed his concerns.
“I notice that where I live in, East End/Long Look, we glorify crime,” said Dr. Juan Rhymer, who described himself as a dentist, a pastor and a teacher. “You will see most of the young people talking about everything possible that it’s wrong to do.”
See the June 21, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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