Leaders of Louisiana law enforcement are urging legislators to invest millions yearly in early education plans aimed at keeping kids away from a life of crime. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says numerous studies indicate it’s better to invest in young kids before they enter the criminal justice system.
“These studies show a correlation between not finishing school and high school and steering off towards a life of crime,” said Champagne.
Champagne is among lawmen asking the Legislature to heed the recommendations of a blue-ribbon panel on kids & crime prevention, and vote to approve $115-million yearly in care & education programs to reach kids, and hopefully, keep them in school and off the streets. Champagne says the programs would target kids as soon as they begin pre-K.
“But it also provides a better foundation for when they get to pre-k in schools that they can graduate and if they can graduate high school, the chances of them getting into a life of crime are much more reduced,” said Champagne.
Champagne is one of many state law enforcement leaders who are members of a group called “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids,” whose mission is to use a good education as a deterrent to the bad choices that lead to criminal activity.
“You have to plant an acorn before you end up with an oak tree, and it takes time, we all want instant solutions right now, and certainly there are things that need to be done with rising crime, but we can’t forget to look at the long term,’ said Champagne.
He says 60-percent of young people convicted of crimes never graduated high school. Champagne says funding is included in the budget bill now, and he urges lawmakers to assure funding for the programs survives the budget negotiating process.
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