GRAND COTEAU, La. (KLFY) -- Grand Coteau's police chief promotes an officer to focus on juvenile offenders and at-risk minors.

The decision signifies the importance of proactive decision-making when it comes to the town's youth.

Newly ranked Cpl. Destahny Green has been promoted to serve the at-risk young population of Grand Coteau.

"Sometimes kids go through things mentally that we may not see, and they may do something based on what they're going through. So, I just wanted to, you know, build a bridge, a different route," she said.

Green takes to the streets every weekday morning to manage school traffic. Afterward, Green heads over to the elementary school to visit with students.

"Some would rather charge a youth with something that could be detrimental to them being able to get this job, this place, or their place. I'm more of the person to say let me talk to them. Let me see what's going on. Let me break them down, see why, and see where we can go from here," Green said.

According to the private philanthropy group dedicated to children, the Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that each year an estimated 195,000 young people are admitted to detention facilities across the nation. Just over 15,000 are held in detention on any given night.

"I tell them where I'm from and tell them things I've seen other kids going through; also things that I've faced with people and friends I know," Green said.

The chief said Green will be the police department's first juvenile-focused officer.

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