MEC for Community Safety Dan Plato addressed youth at the Ocean View civic centre on Friday October 13 as part of an outreach plan where the main focus was safety and youth empowerment.
The aim was to help prevent the youth being lured into negative social behaviours which could lead to gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse, while presenting various opportunities for development and further education offered through the Department of Community Safety.
Mr Plato expressed his disappointment with the turn-out of youth.
This after he arrived more than 45 minutes late for the event which was due to start at 1pm and some youth had walked out.
Mr Plato said it was his third visit to Ocean View and those he had expected to show up were not present. He told the crowd he would be back in December and would then then go knocking on the doors to find the young people he wished to reach.
He encouraged members of the youth not to give up on their dreams and let poverty stand in their way.
He emphasised the importance of education and encouraged the group not to drop out of school, to prevent teenage pregnancy and not to get involved in illegal activities but to rather focus on education as it would open doors for them in the future.
After his address, his assistant presented the group with information on the various opportunities available through the Department of Community Safety.
