FAST FACTS
- Police hoping to reform kids going down the wrong path
- Kids will spend Saturdays talking to ex-cons and visiting jails
- Program is new to the area
(Forrest City, Arkansas 01/21/2011) You've heard of "Scared Straight", the documentary that puts teens caught in the wrong, up and close with a potential future they don't want to see. Some of those same tactics are now being used in the Mid-South.
Like many 13 year old boys, Anthony Scott likes football, music and drawing. But he won't be doing those things Saturday mornings. For five weeks, Anthony will be at the Forrest City Police Department.
"I never thought I would push them to the point where they would do something like this." said Scoot.
His parents signed him up for the department's better choices program, after he started getting in trouble in school. They say they don't want him to be a statistic.
"What do statistics tell you your son could become?" asked News Channel 3.
"It tells me, he could be in prison, he could have kids and not have contact with them." replied Anthony's father, Rickeye Roberson.
The kids will hear the stories of other kids who went down the wrong path.
"He shot his father twice in the head, with a .38 pistol." expressed an officer in the classroom.
They'll talk to ex-cons and visit area jails, in the hopes the decisions they know are bad will start to dwindle.
"I get sneaky with it, she'll be like 'Anthony, didn't I tell you not to do that?' and I'm like, 'yes ma'am, but I just had the urge to do it, I coulsn't help myself' and then I take my punishment." said Scott.
Those urges will start to dwindle.
"We can be the impetus to change lives and make better citizens out of these young people that can grow and spread and catch on and affect the community at large." said Police Chief E.P. Reynolds.
A change, Reynolds says will come by changing each kid individually.
And giving them something else to look forward to.
"Try to get a good education and go to college." said Scott.
Right now, the program is open to kids who have been referred by their parents or counselors, pretty soon it will also be court ordered. If you are interested in their child joining the program, call the Forrest City Police Department at (870) 633-3434. Ask to speak with the Youth Coordinator, Sgt. Marilyn Nobles.
