The weapon that was found in the schoolbag of the child was handed over to the Richelieu Police Department. The police responded to this incident by urging parents to inspect the schoolbags of their children on a regular basis. Parents are also urged to encourage their children to make the right choices and to refrain from misconduct. The police explained that parents can also lend a helping hand to prevent incidents. “Prevention starts at home,” said the police.

The police from the Eastern region recently sounded the alarm over the growing number of truants. With only a few weeks to go until the start of the summer vacation students who are often skipping school are spotted at locations where they are not supposed to be during school hours such as sports fields, stores and street corners. The police made it clear that this is an alarming development which must come with consequences.

The surveillance unit of the Meerzorg Police Department announced that it would take immediate action against truants. “School hours are not for leisure. Students are supposed to be in the classrooms and not on the streets,” said the police. The police officers who have been assigned to work as neighborhood managers have already discussed appropriate measures with the principals of the schools in order to address the truancy issue.

The police made it clear that parents also play a crucial role. “Parents must accept their responsibility by checking if their child actually goes to school,” said the police. The Police Force Suriname calls on parents, schools and the local communities to join forces and to tackle the truancy issue as it could have a negative impact on the performance of students at school. “Those who are caught on the streets during school hours without a valid reason will be given a lecture,” said the police.