Minister of Health, Honourable Luke Browne endorsed the activities of Pan Against Crime at an event yesterday. Minister Browne was speaking at a community outreach concert put on by the National Commission on Crime Prevention at the newly developed Roseau Recreational Park.
In relation to Pan against Crime, the Minister said that he has seen firsthand the impact of its work on communities all across the country, and he gave a commitment to help ensure that it continues to meet its objectives.
“We all want to live in a safe, peaceful and largely crime free society,” Browne asserted.
He further called upon everyone to work together in a great social partnership to achieve this goal. The Minister elaborated by saying that “there is a role for Pan Against Crime, the Police Force, the schools, churches, the government and the private sector, community organisations and of course the homes.”
He made the point that the steel pan and other instruments, sports, education and training programmes and jobs are outlets for creative and socially constructive expression.”
Pan against Crime was conceived by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to keep young people purposefully engaged, and therefore less likely to be involved in criminal activities.
Studies have shown that music and sports programmes help to promote positive and socially acceptable behaviours. Pan against Crime is now 9 years old.
It has led to the creation of several new steel pan sides. However, the impact it has actually had on local criminal statistics has not been analyzed.
