Historical March 1977 column by Sgt. Ted Stewart; reported youth programmes and views describe the period.
Somewhere in a youngster’s life he or she will be touched by someone who will reach out and say, “I care”. A wise person once said: The greatest service one can render someone else is helping him help himself… If you see an opportunity in his path point it out, but let your hand guide not push him. The risk is his, and that he who takes it must make ‘the decision.
This month Team One and the community salutes Detective Donald Thompson,
Juvenile Officers Eric Smith and Jerry Harris. These officers over the years have sincerely and genuinely showed interest in the future of our youth. They have brightened the lives of many young people with compassion and concern.
Detective Thompson worked diligently in locating young talent in the community, spending many off duty hours training young musical groups, and producing talent shows, He can feel proud of knowing that some of his pupils successfully entered into the professional world of top entertainment.
Juvenile Officers Smith and Harris were instrumental in organizing the Seventh Distric’s first annual Queen Contest. One student was selected by the principal from each participating school on her record of community related activities, class room performance, scholastic average, personality, and general appearance, following recommendation from the girl’s teacher. The Queen’s Coronation Ceremony was extremely successful. Officers Thompson, Smith, and Harris are truly committed to youth improvement, and throughout their career will never forget that they are carrying on the work of officers, such as the-late Sergeant Joe Thomas and officer John Carrol who devoted their lives inspiring enter city youth in rising above the web of the ghetto by thinking only of the best, working only for the best, and expecting only the best.
Keep in mind my young friends, wisdom is knowing what to do next. Skill is knowing how to do it. Virture is doing it.
Original photograph caption
Detective Thompson. The Paper, March 1977, page 2. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1977.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed enter city youth, Virture and Seventh Distric’s retained.
Original source: SD_Times1977_03.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
