Crack Down On Crime

The inauguration of Luderitz Youth Against Crime team took place on April 6th at the Youth Centre. There are 58 members and all were given LYAC t-shirts. Reverend J.A. Scholtz opened the event with a talk on the role of the youth in our community. He thinks they are an important element in keeping our town safe, and ensuring that the elderly can live without fear. The Luderitz Youth Against Crime team will work alongside the police to keep Luderitz free from crime, they have had four intensive training sessions to equip them with the skills necessary to uphold the law. Mr Scholtz told the attendees that peace is crucial as it deals with human life, it cannot be bought, and in order to achieve peace they must work hard and have enthusiasm; ‘You can do anything when you have enthusiasm’.
The Station Commander, Erastus Iikuyu, informed the audience on the previous three years crime statistics to give us a better idea what the LYAC will be fighting for. In 2008 the total number of crimes reported was 654 and in 2009 the total number was 655, in the first two months of 2010 over 100 crimes have been reported which means that the crime rate is increasing, this is why the LYAC is necessary. Mr Iikuyu stated that the reduction of the crime rate will be achieved through co-operation between the police and the community, and having so many of the community’s youth working with and for them will help to accomplish this. The target is to reduce the crime rate by between 50-100% with the help of the LYAC. The police would like to point out that the LYAC is in no way replacing the police force, but adding to them along with other community organisations such as the P.P.R.C and the Police and Security committee.
The Regional Commander, Chief Inspector Nampala also addressed the YAC, congratulating them on being the first YAC in Luderitz. He feels the essential aspects of the YAC are promoting a peaceful environment, community engagement and participating in community co-operation, and that the YAC are necessary as there are not an adequate number of police to be everywhere all the time. Their primary purpose is to protect residences, businesses, schools, churches and streets and he hopes citizens rally behind the youth to stand up and say no to crime, he closed with the organisations motto- ‘Long live peace, long live YAC’.
The prevention of crime was said to be one of the greatest challenges according to the Honourable David Shoombe, but it is necessary to try as crime deprives people of their livelihoods, denies us safety and security, does not respect others rights and is bad for businesses. David Shoombe also awarded all the LYAC members certificates and two of the members thanked everyone for the opportunity to be part of the programme, and vowed to try and prevent crime within Luderitz. They wish to take on the responsibility of building the town and making it crime free by walking together in unity, because one team is stronger than separate ones. The chairperson of the YAC closed the speeches by reiterating that crime doesn’t pay, the YAC have a big responsibility and for the community to improve people must start to discipline themselves and stop pointing their finger at other people.
The Luderitz Youth Against Crime is sponsored by Seaflower, the Waterfront Development Committee, Spar, OK Grocer and Namib Office Machines. The Deputy Mayor, Chief Youth Officer, Chief Inspector of Karas, Mr Samuehls and members of NamPol were all in attendance.