2 days ago
‘We can turn it around,' Pine Bluff officials say that juvenile violence on the decline
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Juvenile violence is on the decline in Pine Bluff.
The Pine Bluff School District (PBSD) shared on Friday that office discipline referrals have nearly halved over the past two school years.
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Officials said that if one thing could be pointed to as a cause, it would be the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) movement. Jennifer Barbaree became PBSD superintendent shortly before the implementation of GVI in area schools.
'When GVI first started, we had lost nine students to murder in that school year,' Barbaree said.
In July, it will be a year and a half since a juvenile homicide in Pine Bluff.
PBSD office discipline referrals decreased by 30% this past school year. In elementary schools, discipline referrals have dropped by an average of 50%, with 34th Elementary seeing the most significant decline at 75%.
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On Friday, during the last day of school, GVI hosted a community celebration in the Pine Bluff Convention Center. PBSD Assistant Superintendant Anthony Carlock said students were able to get excused absences for attending.
'This is a celebration, so when we think about, we are not counting youth homicides; we're celebrating how much life we still have in Pine Bluff, and how much life we can impact for our future,' Carlock said.
Carlock said GVI helps students through mentoring, outreach, connecting people with resources, and rewarding those who invest in safety throughout the year.
Director Kevin Crumpton explained that it also trains police and juvenile justice officers for their role.
'You got to be able to work together to make change in your particular city,' Crumpton said.
Jasmine Jones has two children in the district. She just learned of GVI Friday, but she's noticed the effect it's had much sooner.
'It makes me feel better about my kids growing up in this community like we can turn it around,' Jones said.
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A state grant helped fund the formation of GVI. PBSD officials stated a program like this has the potential to improve communities across the state.
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