By BRIDGET SCOTT
ORGANISERS of a fitness program run for young offenders in the community have pleaded with local businesses to jump on board and support the initiative.
The Casey Youth Fitness Program has run for nearly 18 months as a way to reintroduce young offenders back into the community.
The program is run by dynamic duo Casey CIU Detective Senior Constable Mick Harris and local man Robert Auimatagi, who want to help the adolescents start fresh in society.
The fitness program operates out of the Skamma Gym in Narre Warren.
The pair said they saw children as young as 13 through to 23-year-olds who have committed serious, adult crimes.
More than a year after the program commenced, Det Sen Const Harris said some of the young boys were ready for full time employment.
“They just want work,” he said.
“We want to get them started because they’re bored, which is why they’re committing offences.”
Of around 20 youths in the program, the police officer said around four or five have gained employment.
“We really want to get local employees on board,” he said.
“We need that support from the community.”
Mr Auimatagi, who takes the young men through the program, said he would only refer them to employment once he was satisfied they were ready.
“It’s when we feel they are ready to take that step up,” he said.
“The support from us is always there.”
Det Sen Const Harris also urged social workers and youth organisations to refer young offenders to their program.
“We ask youth agencies to bring the kids along and be consistent with it,” he said.
The detective said the point of the program was to stop these children in their tracks before they become adult criminals.
“These are the hard core criminals of the future,” he said
He said once you see young kids coming back to you twice or three times for committing serious offences, you know something isn’t right.
The Narre Warren police station and Casey Criminal Investigation Unit have thrown their full support behind the program, and presented the group with a cheque last Tuesday.
Det Sen Const Harris said the $300 would hugely benefit the program.
