Children learned about jail operations and fingerprinting during the Troup County Sheriff’s Academy for Youth Monday. The first of two weeks of camp began Monday and ends Friday. A total of 29 kids enrolled in the first week, which was for 9 and 10 year olds. More than 30 kids are enrolled in the second week for 11 and 12 year olds.
“Sheriff Turner was delighted to see some of the children returning for another summer in the Sheriff’s Academy,” Sheriff’s Lt. Chad Mann said. “It is time well-spent, fostering bonds with the future leaders in community.”
Sheriff Donny Turner welcomed campers before jail administrator Capt. Marty Reeves gave an overview of jail operations. Reeves demonstrated some of the creative ways contraband is smuggled into the jail, such as in a hollow troll toy.
Mann, along with Chief Charles Nixon and C.H.A.M.P.S deputy Chad Traylor taught campers about fingerprinting, investigations and Internet safety.
“Internet safety is the number one thing I’m asked to teach,” Traylor said. “The class focuses on internet frauds, bullying and harassment, which have all become so common.”
Traylor said the class teaches kids the dangers of giving personal information to strangers online.
“Chatrooms are especially dangerous,” Traylor said, adding that online predators often pose as maintenance workers or friends of parents to find out if kids are home alone.
The average time kids are home alone is between 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Traylor said.
The first day of camp came to an end at B & E Happy Hoppers on Duffey Drive, where kids played on inflatables until 4 p.m.
A scenario of addressing media, a K-9 demonstration and water safety course are scheduled for Tuesday, Mann said. Wednesday’s focus will be on first aid, before ending camp with skating at Red’s 2 Skate Center on Roanoke Road.
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