South Fulton program offers alternative to punishing parents

City of South Fulton Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis proposed an ordinance that would hold parents more accountable for their children’s actions. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com AJC FILE PHOTO

City of South Fulton Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis proposed an ordinance that would hold parents more accountable for their children’s actions. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com AJC FILE PHOTO

In South Fulton, some people are trying to offer alternatives to a proposed law that could send parents to jail for up to 10 days if their children commit a crime.

The Saturday event from Let Us Make Man bills itself as an "alternative to locking parents up." In addition to jail time after a child's second offense, parents could be fined up to $100, according to the proposed legislation. For a first offense, parents and children would be offered access to diversion programs or other help. South Fulton city council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance March 20.

Derrick Boazman, the co-founder of Let Us Make Man, said in a statement that he recognizes the frustration in the community, but thinks he and others have a responsibility to “constructively guide” young men to adulthood.

The program begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at Stonewall Tell Elementary, 3310 Stonewall Tell Road in College Park. It will include a presentation called “Consequences of Thug Life” and a fair with cultural, athletic and other programs intended to help connect people with the services they need.

The event is targeted to people between the ages of 6 and 25 and their parents, and well as others in the community.

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