Young people want discipline and they want to be taught how to do things the right way, but parents have allowed them to get out of hand at home.

Because of this, parents expect teachers to teach their children what they should have been taught at home, and if they do not, parents then expect the Police or a social service agency to do it.

This came from Philadelphia Police officer Ms Leslie J. Seymore who arrived on the Island last week to conduct a Woman's Day workshop on Saturday for Mt.

Zion AME Church's Women's Day.

The Royal Gazette interviewed Officer Seymore, who is also the national chairperson for the National Black Police Association, about young people and the judicial system, and the barrier between Police and the youth.

"We are responsible for our children's behaviour which starts at home. And we need to give them places to go and things to do when they are away from us such as Scouts or the Boys and Girls clubs,'' she said.

"Churches should also be involved. They need to be opening their facility to groups of young people and they need to start when they are very young.

"Churches have so much to give and they are not doing anything with their resources.'' Officer Seymore added: "It is the responsibility of the community to see that they have outlets to deal with all of their excess energy. These are our children. They did not beam down from another planet.

"Studies have shown that if you want to make a difference with young people breaking the cycle of violence and delinquency you have to start when these children are young from pre-school on.

"It doesn't matter what the racial background is. Children are still children and they need the same kind of love.'' On the issue of the barrier between Police and the youth, Officer Seymore said for the most part the only contact young people have with the Police is when there is an incident.

"Generally the youth have a confrontational relationship with Police. They are never in an atmosphere of fun.'' But in Philadelphia, Officer Seymore said her Police department has organised sporting events run by Police for the young people.

"This enables the young people in the community to see the Police on a different level not just confrontational.

"In Bermuda they should have Police officers heading things like Boy Scout or Girl Scout groups so they can interact on a different level.

'' Philadelphia also has a programme where officers teach safety classes in school.

CHURCH CHU