VPD strives to make a difference with local teens

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN)— As the City of Vicksburg waited for answers in the wake of several shooting events within days of each other, the Vicksburg Police Department worked with teens to ensure the next generation makes better choices in regards to violence. 

On Tuesday, Jan.13, the PD hosted the first official meeting of U-Turn, a program targeting at juvenile offenders designed to mentor and guide teens in making better life decisions before they end up behind bars for serious offenses. 

Most of the juveniles in the program were placed due to a referral from the Youth Court Judge Marcie Tanner Southerland. The program demands full participation by both the teens and their parents/caregivers. 

At the first meeting, the focus was to introduce the participants and the parents to some of the various mentors involved in the program. 

The project was spearheaded by Vicksburg Police Deputy Chief Tommy Curtis. His message to the teens was they were not there as a punishment. He encouraged the juveniles to take advantage of program before it was too late and they had no further chances at redemption. 

“Whose turn?” asked Curtis to the juveniles. 

The group responded in unison, “U-turn.” 

During the introductions, each parent and caregiver was given the chance to express what they wanted from the program and what outcomes they expected for the teens. Nearly every parent responded that they want the teens to “Make better decisions.” 

Also expressed were wishes for the teens to develop improved attitudes and be more respectful of adults, be wiser in choosing their friends, graduate from high school, and one parent wanted his son to accept “Jesus as his Savior.”

As a group the mentors including former Vicksburg-Warren School District teacher April Green assured the parents all concerns would be addressed. 

“Life is about choices. We all make choices. Everyday we wake up and decide to brush our teeth or not. We need you to make better choices,” said Green. “We want to see you grow. Not to down you.”

Deputy Chief Charlie Hill also addressed the teens. 

“Come prepared to work and pay attention,” said Hill. “Just pay attention. We want to teach you to get better. I promise you, we are more alike than we are different. 

After the introductions, the group went outside to perform a group exercise. The teens stood in a circle at the same distance from each other and from the center of the circle. A series of questions were asked of the teens. With their eyes closed, the teens were asked to step forward if the questions were true. At the end of the exercise nearly every teen was closer to each other and to the center of the circle. 

“See. We are more alike than we are different,” pointed out the group of mentors. 

Editor’s Note: An unreviewed version of this story was published without revisions. Corrections have been made.