Pine Bluff pastors tell lawmakers their 'pastors on patrol' and mentoring programs cut school referrals

Representatives of a Pine Bluff faith-community coalition told a legislative committee that a combination of school-based pastoral presence, mentoring and curriculum partnerships has reduced negative behavior and referrals in area schools and can be replicated elsewhere.

Pastor Jesse Turner, who identified himself as pastor emeritus of Elm Grove Baptist Church and president of the Pine Bluff Faith Community Coalition Ministerial Alliance, described programs his group runs in partnership with schools and national organizations. "Our presence on campus as clergymen causes our young people to pick up and become more excited," Turner said, describing pastors-on-patrol walks, mentoring and clubs that promote leadership and nonviolence.

Turner cited results he said were reported to him by local schools: a 33% reduction in negative behavior at one school and a 75% reduction in referrals at another after anti-bullying efforts. He also described a youth diversion program for returning citizens and said some program curricula are trademarked nationally but that the coalition can help other communities set up similar efforts.

Why it matters: Committee members asked whether the programs have templates for replication and whether they address substance use; Turner said the coalition uses both trademarked and free resources (including online curriculum from the Woodson Center) and includes drug-education materials in programming.

Turner emphasized community engagement and asked legislators to recognize school proficiency as a present civil-rights issue tied to community involvement. He invited members to meet with his group after the hearing and offered program materials for other districts.

The committee did not take formal action on the presentations during the session; the Chair closed the hearing and adjourned.