VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - Crimes committed by youth in Valdosta are becoming a serious problem.
The police department is now exploring news ways to stop crime, before it starts.
Roughly 100 students filled the auditorium seats at Valdosta High School today to take a course on "How to interact with Police" and "What to do if you get pulled over." Students like Jalen Smith says a course like this is needed for students who have only been taught to see police in a negative light.
"Some of the students in our school, they come from backgrounds where the police are really presented to be the bad guys," said Smith.
A perspective that Jalen feels can send youth down a different path.
This year the city of Valdosta has experienced a number of youth facing charges for car break-ins, aggravated assaults and even murder. Valdosta High student Haley Hogan says its going to take all of us to stop crime.
"Community members, especially adults, principals, teachers and even police officers and chief of police to get a hold of these youth members and tell them the repercussions that could come from their actions," said Hogan.
"As a prominently African-American school, we need to link that relationship between law enforcement and our students," said Smith.
Overall students and law enforcement felt like today was a small step in the right direction, as everyone left with something more than they came with.
"Our thoughts come from young minds, the same ages of the kids committing these crimes in the streets," said Smith. "So if they get our thoughts and get to pick our brain, maybe they can see how they can help us as adults in the community."
The course was suggested by the Valdosta Police Youth Advisory Board during its first meeting this month.
