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What if there was a smarter way to approach juvenile justice? One that identifies troubled youth before they commit serious crimes and connects them with resources instead of sending them to detention?

Kevin Hunt knows firsthand how easily young people can slip into criminal behavior. Growing up in Little Rock during the notorious "Banging in the Rock" era, Hunt started with stealing coins from fountains before escalating to purse snatching and eventually more serious crimes. Despite having loving family members, the influences of poverty, neighborhood crime, and early exposure to drugs created a pathway to prison. "We just react a lot based off the trauma stuff that we went through," Hunt explains, highlighting how generational trauma drives impulsive behavior.

After serving time for firearms offenses, Hunt transformed his life and now leads Lessons Learned, a program helping youth avoid his mistakes. He focuses particularly on elementary students, believing that building confidence and academic skills early prevents later issues.

Meanwhile, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, police are pioneering Shield Our Youth, an innovative initiative tackling rising juvenile crime rates. Officer Blake Scott, who once distrusted police himself, leads this effort to identify at-risk youth and connect them with support before they enter the justice system. Rather than immediate arrests, officers investigate underlying issues—like the runaway teen Scott found who did not have a mattress on his bed at home and was being forced to use a trash can as a toilet. Instead of punishment, Scott connected the family with resources and maintained contact to ensure ongoing support.

Shield Our Youth coordinates existing community services through specialized software, creating a seamless web of support. "The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," explains Captain Stephen Creek about previous disconnected efforts. "All of the resources we need are right here."

Want to help troubled youth in your community? Both Hunt and Officer Scott agree: the most valuable contribution is your time. Mentoring, simply showing up at games or performances, or offering homework help can create ripple effects that change a young person's trajectory forever.

The Smart Justice podcast is hosted by Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman. Executive producer is Karen Tricot Steward. Production and videography by Ti King.

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