Youth Anti-Violence Panel

(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C., — If they only reach one child, Columbia police say the effort of the youth anti violence prevention campaign would be worth it. Wednesday night , authorities were able to reach more than a hundred. Officials brought in a panel of incarcerated youth currently behind bars at the Department of Juvenile Justice, and one young man who was just released 3 months ago. Acting Columbia police Chief Melron Kelly says the goal was to have someone speak to elementary and middle school aged children from someone they could relate to. 17 year old Isaiah was one of them. Sharing the story of the path he says led him to djj where he sat behind bars for four years. The crowds of children in attendance say they’ve been inspired by hearing the struggle of someone else. in fact, many of them say they’re eager to do better in school so they won’t head down the same bumpy path.