LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Las Vegas police say a long-running youth justice forum is aimed at keeping kids safe and bridging the gap between officers and teens.
The 18th Annual Youth & Justice Forum brought together students ages 10-18, officers, lawyers, law students and the community for solutions-oriented dialogue and interaction to build trust and improve relationships between youth and law enforcement.
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Detective Adrian Hunt with Las Vegas Metro said the forum brought together officers and attorneys to teach students about their rights and how to safely interact with law enforcement. Hunt said they use real-life skits and scenarios to walk kids through the do’s and don’ts when they are stopped or questioned.
In addition to learning about their rights and responsibilities on campus and in the community, youth reenacted and deconstructed real-life scenarios designed to teach them how to properly navigate police encounters while gaining perspectives about law enforcement.
Sponsors and organizers
The event was made possible by sponsorship and support from the NV Energy Foundation, Southwest Gas Corp. Foundation, the Las Vegas Raiders, SilverSummit Healthplan, PepsiCo, Las Vegas City Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong and DPAC Nevada. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be served, and participating youth will receive certificates.
“The Youth & Justice Forum is the longest-running community collaboration of its kind in Southern Nevada and the information disseminated here can save lives,” said event co-organizer and Uplift Foundation of Nevada Board Member Damon Hodge.
“This powerful forum builds important connections. We work together to create positive, constructive solutions that can help reduce negative interactions and outcomes,” said co-organizer and State Sen. Dina Neal.
Officers, students share perspectives
“We want to debunk all those myths and let them know some of the reality that comes with law enforcement and policing and knowing their laws as well,” Hunt said.
“They can ask the real questions, they can ask the tough questions to us and really get the real answers in real time. That is what it is about and that is why we love doing this,” Hunt said.
Hunt, who grew up on the west side, said after nearly two decades it is “phenomenal” when former students come up to him and say the forum taught them their rights and changed how they see police. He said the goal is for kids to take that knowledge back to their friends and families and help make the community safer.
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