SOUTHCOM’s Partnering Directorate and Jamaica-based U.S. Civil Affairs soldiers facilitated the donation of over 700 hygiene kits to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB), a critical element of the Embassy’s Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) program to ensure citizen safety and security.
SOUTHCOM’s Partnering Directorate and Jamaica-based U.S. Civil Affairs soldiers facilitated the donation of over 700 hygiene kits to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB), a critical element of the Embassy’s Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) program to ensure citizen safety and security.
The donation provided by Food For The Poor (FFP) in support of the CSSB’s annual Place of Safety Home Visit project represents the largest donation the CSSB has received from any NGO. The donation has expanded the project to allow the JCF to visit more homes across the entire country, turning a single day event into a multi-week endeavor.
These care packages will be provided to the children of Mustard Seed communities in Spanish Town, Place of Safety organization and the other state funding Youth Homes throughout Jamaica.
Positive community interventions promote a positive image for the police, forging a constructive relationship between them and the public. Furthermore, these children are considered at-risk youth, as they do not have family support and structure. Impacting them now at such a vulnerable time will encourage a pro-police perspective as they enter adulthood.
Providing these personal hygiene care packages allowed for face-to-face time to help educate at-risk youth on important topics of hygiene. This event also provided access to police youth club mentorship. Therefore, this event went beyond handing over care packages. The police spent the day with the children offering advice, encouragement, playing games, and interacting with them.
The Community Safety and Security Branch has 650 children between 3-16 years of age; 204 girls and 446 boys.