New council builds trust between police and youth

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – High school students and law enforcement are working together to meet each other halfway through conversations about transparency, trust and safety.

“I think my generation and law enforcement are going to have to meet in the middle to have a real connection,” said Jamiyah Fells of Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy.

The newly formed Baton Police Department Youth Advisory Council is made up of students from several area high schools who meet with police to discuss ways to improve the community.

“I am ready for us to have the difficult conversations that even adults often avoid. I am ready for us to exchange ideas. I look forward to learning from the experiences of these young people and applying the solutions and insights they share to practice and policy whenever possible,” said BRPD Chief TJ Morse.

Morse established the council to address the growing number of juvenile offenders and victims of violent crime in our region.

“It’s all a different perspective, and we need all perspectives at the table,” Morse said. “We need their perspective on how you can trust the police, what it takes to get them to call you if there’s a crime.”

“I went to school with a lot of young kids who are dying from gun violence, they don’t trust the police, and there’s a lot of bad things happening in our community. I think this program can help us a lot,” said Eryn Brown of Istrouma Magnet High School.

The Council has held several meetings to date to determine how this trust will be built.

“A win here in the city looks like youth trust in law enforcement, a win here in the city looks like safety for all of Baton Rouge. A win here in the city looks like better opportunities for youth of all races,” said Darryl Powell Jr. of Scotlandville Magnet High School.

“I remember my one experience with law enforcement just a few years ago that made me not trust law enforcement. I stand here today ready to give law enforcement a chance because they are ready to give my generation a chance,” Fells said.

Student council members also discuss these topics with their peers at school.

“The town meeting we will be holding will be about hearing honest feedback from students across the parish, giving students information that will help law enforcement build better relationships, and discussing better opportunities such as job placement, financial literacy, and other life skills so that we can operate as a more unified town-parish,” Powell Jr. said.

“I think we can be such leaders because we are similar to them and they know that you don’t have to follow someone who is doing something bad, you can follow someone who looks exactly like all of you,” said Keymon Washington of Arlington Preparatory Academy.

Officers say youth council members become leaders to set examples for their generation and future generations.

“This group of young people has already taken a very brave step in choosing to be the first, and I really, really admire that. And together we’re going to work together to not only build these young leaders next to me and behind me, but also build a better Baton Rouge for all those who are next to lead,” said BRPD Deputy Chief Sharon Douglas.

“So stay tuned because we’re just getting started,” Powell Jr. said.

The city council is holding its first community meeting tomorrow at Scotlandville High School, where it will invite other students to voice their opinions.

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