Children join crime fight; COMMUNITY ACTION: Families given 'more control'.Byline: By Jonathan Walker Jonathan Walker (born 1799 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts - died May 1, 1878 near Muskegon, Michigan), aka "The Man with the Branded Hand," was an American reformer who became a national hero in 1844 when he was tried and sentenced as a slave stealer following his attempt to help seven KIDDIE kid·die or kid·dy n. pl. kid·dies Slang A small child. kiddie Noun Informal a child constables could be given uniforms and urged to report problems in their neighbourhood, under new proposals to promote "community empowerment". The junior snoopers would be equipped with notebooks to report on vandalism The intentional and malicious destruction of or damage to the property of another. The intentional destruction of property is popularly referred to as vandalism. It includes behavior such as breaking windows, slashing tires, spray painting a wall with graffiti, and , graffiti and poorly maintained buildings. The person who files the most reports will receive a prize each month. Ministers highlighted the scheme as an example of "community empowerment," as they announced that Birmingham and Wolverhampton are to share in a pounds 35 million fund created to give people more control over their local neighbourhoods. A total of 18 authorities across the country will share in the money, and residents will decide how the cash is spent. Ministers said the "junior wardens" programme, which is already up and running in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was an example of how the money could be used. The youngsters send their reports to local neighbourhood wardens and whoever files the most is rewarded with a family outing. Other examples included appointing "young advisers", aged between 15 and 21, to advise local councils on policy decisions, and training youngsters to become a "community interpreter, advocate and peer educator". Hazel hazel, any plant of the genus Corylus of the family Betulaceae (birch family), shrubs or small trees with foliage similar to the related alders. They are often cultivated for ornament and for the edible nuts. Blears, the Local Government Secretary, said the drive towards giving people direct control over how budgets were spent followed a survey which found only 37 per cent of people felt they can influence decisions affecting their local area Wolverhampton and Birmingham have been named "empowerment champions", along with 16 other authorities. CAPTION(S): HAZEL BLEARS. |
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