By COREY CONNELLY Sunday, August 30 2009

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An animated Social Development Minister Dr Amery Browne addresses residents of Covigne Road and environs in Diego Martin yesterday. ...

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Residents of Covigne Road and other nearby districts in Diego Martin yesterday vowed to take back their community from the criminal element.

They made the pledge during a day-long event titled “Covigne Celebrates” at the Diego Martin North Community Centre on Church Street.

The area, which falls within the constituency of Diego Martin West, has long been plagued by crime and negativity.

Yesterday, residents, comprising various sporting and cultural groups in the community, called for more resources to be pumped into the area to deter the youths from a life of crime and delinquency.

Some of the groups represented included the Fathers Foundation, Upper Cemetery Street Residents’ Association, Block Four Drummers, Football Club One (FC1) and the Diego Martin People For Progress.

Social Development Minister Dr Amery Browne said he was heartened by the example the area was setting for the rest of the country.

“There is a lot of talk on the street that there are so many resources available in the country and it’s true, but somehow the resources aren’t getting to the people we need it to get to and one of the answers to that is the importance of organising – forming community groups, residents’ associations – and then plugging in to the right people who can make the resources available – and you have done exactly that in Covigne Road,” Browne told residents who were assembled under a huge white tent in a courtyard at the back of the community centre.

Referring to the crime situation, Browne said only a small number of people were managing to give communities a bad name.

“The thing about it is that the small number of people seem so passionate and so determined and so committed it makes us feel that they are in the majority and we are in the minority,” he said. “But today (yesterday), I am encouraged because I see a lot of passion. I see a lot of commitment and I see a lot of dedication. And it is a sign that we are taking back our community and we are taking back our country with positivity.”

Chairman of the Regional Social Human Development Council (RSHDC) Aileen Bruce urged the groups to take advantage of the resources they have received through the organisation thus far for the benefit of the entire community.

The RSHDC, Bruce said, reviews the applications of community groups for grants by ensuring that ideas are sound and sustainable.

“So those idle machinery such as sewing machines and computers, put them into practice and do more for the community,” she implored.

Also speaking at the event were Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Development Alicia Hospedales, co-ordinator of the Citizens’ Security Programme Gregory Sloane-Seale and Programme Director of the Poverty Reduction Programme Gary Tagallie.