International Youth Day falls today:

Prevention and control of youth violence

Mithra ARIYASINGHE

Now that terrorism initiated in the South by the JVP led by Rohana Wijeweera in 1971, 1987-1989 and in the North and East by Prabhakaran and his colleagues had been eliminated, my focus in this presentation will only address the topic in general terms applicable to all youth.

Violence as a weapon; Irked youth attacking police. File photo

Sri Lanka has being plagued by youth violence and crime since 1971, in the South with the activities of JVP directed by Rohana Wijeweera.

In the North and East by the activities were started by Prabhakaran and his colleagues.

Now that such violent leaders have been disposed of through violent means, it is useful to enlighten/remind Police and concerned authorities to initiate best practices, strategies to prevent resurgence of youth crime/ violence of that magnitude and to try and prevent continuance of a youth culture resorting to violence/crime.

Factors contributing to youth crime are socio economic deprivation, low family income, poor shelters in crowded neighbourhoods or slums; social injustices.

l Getting Influenced by deviant youth sub cultures, not engaged in any ethical productive activity; not getting any opportunity for progress or rise in status.

l Getting roused by rebellious power seeking political movements or unions.

l When thrown to jail even temporarily, other criminals get them involved in joining to commit more crime.

Although arrest, detention of youth involved in criminal acts are expected to be a deterrence, provide opportunities for correction, rehabilitation; in practice because of the long delays in pre trial, during trial, due to heavy workloads of the entire criminal justice system and overcrowding of detention centres; in practice the detainees are in bad company, get worse, get little supervision, attention for correction, rehabilitation. Their frame of mind may be they join gangs contacted in detention and resort to further crime.

Causes, factors contributing to youth crime are multiple. Some of the key factors are listed below:

Deprived of proper upbringing affected by family conflicts, battering among parents and on children, family break up and neglect of children.

Personality, psychological disorders, individual pathologies, frustrations, negative attitudes.

School dropouts, lose teacher guidance, control proper education, sports, recreational activity, unsupervised leisure, indiscipline; bad associations, addiction to alcohol, drugs, joining rebellious gangs with anti authority tendencies, become irresponsible, being immature vulnerable for criminal activity.

Even when, in temporary custody, attention need to be given to correctional measures, counselling, keeping youth away from adult, even known recidivist criminals.

Get probation, social worker help, also help to arrange vocational and ethical education and positive development education, training, guidance, counselling in socializing for a meaningful law abiding life.

Police action needed to prevent, control youth crime

Police should be observant, alert to spot indiscipline, rebellious, irresponsible, anti authority behaviour and potential and tendencies of youth for such behaviour and preparations for criminal activity.

Police should exercise close supervision, surveillance to prevent, control criminal acts; get support of parents, guardians, community leaders, particularly religious leaders, social workers, probation officers and others, who can help guide, control them from resorting to crime.

If arrested ensure they are kept away from adult professional criminals; through the justice system seek diversion to rehabilitation centres.

Constructive action to prevent control youth violence

Mobilize, obtain support of religious leaders, teachers, educationists, social workers and others, who can influence the youth to develop religious, ethical values, morality, meritorious conduct, patience, tolerance, empathy, sensitivity not to hurt others, learn to show love, affection, mutual respect, brotherhood to other human beings, self control, control of greediness. Educate youth to develop interest in useful knowledge, sports, recreational activity; occupational aspirations, needed skills through vocational training, secure employment career development to be well occupied earning living wage, develop self esteem and respectable status in life to act with responsibility and maturity.

Arrange for adult school leavers to be properly guided, occupied with vocational training, apprentice serving with interest in career development, productive activities.

Also interested, engaged in religious activities/ sports /recreation/artistic/ entertainment, develop self esteem, self respect and committed to be worthy citizens abiding by law and order. Even when, in temporary custody, attention need to be given to correctional measures, counselling, keeping youth away from adult, even known recidivist criminals.

Get probation, social worker help, also vocational and ethical education and positive development education, training, guidance in socializing for a meaningful law abiding life.

During the past 38 years, rebellious groups had trained many youth in using firearms, preparation and use of bombs, doing armed robberies and violent acts. Hence essential to strategically post day, night Police/SF check points, beats, patrols, Traffic Police to do checks/ searches strictly control carrying of firearms, explosives and other weapons in the streets, public places and possession illicitly anywhere. Police to further build up intelligence system, confidential informants, neighbourhood watch law abiding volunteers to help in crime prevention, in close coordination and collaboration with Intelligence agencies, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis.

Get all of them to focus with intensive supervision on locations with youth individually or in gangs likely to resort to crime, even idling and awaiting opportunity to commit a crime.

Proactive action to prevent committing crime

Also have at such locations CCTV, Surveillance Cameras, sensors, scanners to detect weapons, explosives and surveillance officers doing intensive surveillance, patrols, beats to spot, do checks proactively, attempts, preparation to commit Crime and prevent commission of Crime.

All having possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives including all Security Forces must ensure strict controls, secure custody and storage, intensive surveillance of the items to prevent robbery, theft, pilfering or misappropriation or criminal breach of trust, unauthorized removal or use even temporarily by anyone including own officers.

The writer is retired

Senior DIG.