BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MUSICIAN Calvin Russell received high praise from Police Chief Emrick Seymour and community leaders on the release of his new song and music video, which delivers a strong, anti-crime message to young people.

A pre-launching of the music video and song, ‘Let The Lord Follow Thee,’ was held at the Police Headquarters on Friday. In the video, two young men plan a robbery and break into an office. The police are called and the culprits are caught red-handed and taken to jail.

The video was produced by Dave Mackey of Mackeymedia.

Mr Russell, who wrote the song, said he wanted to send a message that would prevent and discourage young people them from becoming involved in criminal activity. “I wrote the song as a concerned citizen ... to let young people know they don’t have follow the crowd and commit crime because no matter how sorry they are, they can not go back in time to change it,” he said.

He thanked the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their participation in the video. “I want to thank Mr Seymour and the officers who showed up on time; no matter how many times we had to do a scene, they did not complain,” he said. Thanks were also extended to Insurance Management and The Tribune and 100Jamz for the use of their facilities. Some of the background scenes were shot in the quaint beachfront settlement of Williams Town. The video was produced by Dave Mackey of Mackeymedia.

Anton Russell said he was very proud to be a part of his grandfather’s video. “I have always been a huge fan of his music, so to be a part of it is something I will always treasure,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour said the video sends a positive message to young people. He commended Mr Russell for what he is doing.

“When Mr Russell told me what he wanted to do ... I did not hesitate because I saw it as something positive; something that would impact the lives of our young people because that seems to be where we are having the majority our problems nowadays,” he said. “It’s always pleasure for us in the RBPF to ... be a part of positive activities that seek to improve the lives of our people. The Police Force does not exists in a vaccum ... and the police department is really as strong as the community wants it to be.”

Also endorsing the video were community activist Pastor Eddie Victor of Living Waters Assembly of God, Community Leader Dudley Seide of Reach Out Ministries, and Johnathan Smith of For Us By Jesus.

Mr Seide said crime is everybody’s business and persons must do their part to help the police. Having been the victim of crime several years ago, and the father of a son who is in prison, the community leader said the video should be viewed by young boys in the high schools in Grand Bahama.