Cayon pastors offer new approach to address crime

~~Adz:Right~~ December 3, 2008: Pastors from churches in the Cayon Community have expressed their deep regret and outrage at the recent shootout over the weekend that took lives of two young men and left others critically wounded.

Spokesperson for the Group, Pastor Cyprian Williams said heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families of these young men who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident.

He said the pastors recognize that they must devise non-traditional means to positively impact the ill-advised, disturbed and maladjusted youths who participate in such violent crimes.

The pastor speaking on behalf of the wider body of pastors reemphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to ending the scourge of youth related crime adding that many organizations have sought to address their issue singlehandedly and failed in their attempt.

He highlighted the fact that although the church may have an obligation to voice a spiritual response to the issue, it must also see its role as a social institution with the capacity and influence to make inroads into addressing the root causes of such anti-social behavior.

The Cayon Pastors are calling on people within and outside in the community who have information to assist the police as much as possible to identify the guilty parties. They are asking that all illegal gun holders turn in their weapons to avoid making decisions that will negatively impact their lives and the lives of the friends and family members.

They are also inviting all young people who feel that they have “unresolveable” problems to come to any of them for counsel and assistance.