Juvenile Probation Office to try new program

BENTONVILLE — Why Try?

The Benton County Juvenile Probation Office will soon implement a new program aimed at helping at-risk juveniles strive for successful futures.

Michael Turic, a Benton County juvenile probation officer, announced Tuesday morning that the office will participate in the national WhyTry Program.

According to Turic, more than 1,176 juveniles are assigned to the Probation Office each year.

Tim Riley, grant coordinator for Congressman John Boozman's office, presented Benton County Sheriff KeithFerguson and Petie Cobb, director of the county Juvenile Probation Office, with a check from a federal grant for $14,682.

The money will assist the Juvenile Probation Office implement the WhyTry Program and also provide a juvenile probation officer to act as a liaison between the Juvenile Probation Office and the BCSO's Police Athletic League (PAL) Program.

Turic said the goal of the WhyTry Program is to help juveniles achieve opportunity, freedom and self-respect using education and interventions that motivate them and create positive change.

Riley noted that the jail currently has more than 500 inmates. "We need programsto help kids stay out of this program," Riley said.

Turic said the WhyTry Program stresses good decisionmaking skills, and graduation rates for participants have tripled.

The first step is for 11 probation officers to attend a two-day training certification that will be available next year. For the first year, the Probation Office plans to offer two classes serving up to 40 juveniles. The next year will bring four classes with up to 80 juveniles, and during the third year, the program's goal is to have up to 120 participants.

The BCSO and Juvenile Probation Office began the PAL Program over the summer. The BCSO is the third law-enforcement agency in the state to launch the program.

Ferguson said the goal of the PAL Program is to build a better relationship between law-enforcement officers and youngsters.

The PAL Program held two junior police academies during the summer.

For the Halloween holiday, the PAL Program will sponsor a haunted house at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

The house will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 15 to Oct. 31.

The hours will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays and from 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

The admission is $5 per person, and all proceeds will go to the PAL Program.