Young Marines given alternative to jail, drugs

ALBANY — Various agencies came together to offer guidance, illuminate consequences and point young people in the best direction Saturday.

“We have been doing Young Marines Law Enforcement Day for longer than 10 years,” said Nathanael Lowman, commanding officer of Young Marines of Albany. “It has something new to educate the young and their parents about every year.”

The seven-hour seminar brought together area law enforcement officials at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany for discussion, lectures and presentations.

The day opened at 8 a.m. with a presentation called “You and the Law, Making Good Decisions.” Make the wrong decisions, and Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Anita Allen was there to show the consequences.

Allen presented a virtual tour of the Dougherty County jail at 8:45 a.m.

The law-day event was sponsored by the Young Marines, a group that helps children find alternatives to a gang, drug and jail lifestyle. The program teaches leadership skills, respect and discipline to children from high-school age down to 8 years old.

“We are here to help them make the right choices in life,” said Albany Police Department Deputy Chief Wilma Griffin. “They need to know that there are better choices than gangs and drugs. We can help give them the tools for a better life than that.”

A few of the tools taught by Albany police concerned how to avoid gangs and gang violence, school safety and what to do in situations of inappropriate touching, sexual assault or child abuse.

The seminar wasn’t just for the 52 members of the Young Marines, it was open to the public. Parents and students not in the Young Marines attended the program.

“I thought this would be good for my class in law and justice to attend,” said Lynn Miller, a teacher at Albany High School. “It is very instructional.”

The Young Marines and others at the seminar had a chance to talk with police about their cars and equipment before lunch. Sitting in a police car wasn’t Young Marines member Najee Berryhill’s idea of fun.

“I found out that it made me uncomfortable,” Berryhill, 15, who attends Albany High School, said. “I don’t want to have to sit in one again.”

Berryhill has set his sights high and plans to become a surgeon, perhaps in the U.S. Air Force.

“I wasn’t doing too good in school. I joined the Young Marines to straighten out,” Berryhill said. “I’m doing real good now.”