Parents urged to photograph children before festival events
As the annual Emancipation festivities get underway, parents are being urged to take photographs of their children before attending each event, as this can help to identify them if they get lost during the celebrations.
It is common for the authorities to get reports of lost children during the annual festival celebrations.
Because of this, Minister responsible for children, families and social services Vincent Wheatley said while children can enjoy many of the celebrations planned for the festival season, families should take precautions to ensure they are safe.
He said when attending events, parents or guardians should write their telephone numbers on children’s armbands so they can be easily contacted if the youngsters get lost.
“Take a photo of your child at the start of the event so you have their clothing, hairstyle and up-to-date photo ready to show the authorities if they need it. It is also helpful to dress them in bright clothing at these events so they can be easily spotted in crowds,” the minister stated.
He also said children should be taught their parents’ correct names as this can assist in reuniting them with their families. Parents are also being told to equip their children with fully charged cellphones and to refrain from leaving their children unattended in vehicles.
In the meantime, families who choose not to take children to certain events are being reminded that youngsters should not be left alone while vendors at various events are being urged to refrain from serving alcholic beverages to minors.
“Do not leave your child home alone. Be cognizant of who you left your child with and where you left them. At the different events, I’m asking vendors to refrain from serving alchoholic beverages or any illicit drugs to children. It takes a village to raise a child and I’m calling on the entire community to keep our children safe during this time,” Wheatley said.
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Wow! Better he had stayed in witness protection or wherever he been hiding since election!
…illicit drugs can be served to adults? Great then, PARTY OVER HERE YOW!!
Stay home, watch the events on a screen with your kids.
With all due respect, this soundz like an endorsement for children to get lost in the crowd. With all the evil that’s lurking in the place, only God knows what can happen to a child that gets lost, regardless of how many pictures prior to the event. The emphasis is to not let them out of your sight. Use a leash if necessary. Use discretion as to what events and what time to have small children in the village. Parental responsibility should be the focus here. When will the downhill slide come to an end?
You’re wrong, it’s actually the Minister responsible for Social Development understanding that people are DUMB AS F*^KING NAILS and would leave their kids home or let them roam around in the village. With the entertainment lineup, Village will have thousands in attendance and it would be very easy for kids to get lost on the mix. Don’t blame the Minister’s words, blame what we have become as a society and the fact that he knows how irresponsible people are so got out ahead of it. Despite these utterances, people will still leave their kids home alone to ‘turn up’.
Wow ! It’s gotten that bad. So turd world
Look where the BVI has come too
And ayo still allowing Messia from Jamaica come here with his nasty dancehall lyrics that has no goog influence on the youth . This is crazy doublespeak stanfarfs
“He also said children should be taught their parents’ correct names as this can assist in reuniting them with their families.”
Am I to believe there are children here who only know their parents nicknames? What am I missing here?
There are children who do not know their parents full legal name. Depending on their age, they know them simply as, ‘Mommy or Daddy.’
It’s easy for children to get lost through crowds, so parents need to be responsible in taking better care of the child while out, or leave them home with a responsible adult.
As a parent I know if my children cant be cared for by anyone of the 3 people i allow to watch them, i will cancel plans and stay home with them.