Fayetteville students, officers encourage better decisions through skit

In a closing scene, a student is seen in a casket with his family and peers mourning over his body. It’s all part of the graphic skit that reflects reality for so many people, which is why Barbara McCoy was on board when Fayetteville Police approached her with the idea.

“I knew there was a need in our community with students who would go to these house parties and never return. A lot of our kids have been affected by it,” McCoy said

It’s a common occurrence when a group of teens throws a party that starts off as a small crowd of familiar faces but, thanks to social media and lack of supervision, troublemakers show up.

Too many times, someone ends up dead.

“I hope that they realize after this, if something does happen after a house party, I’m leaving my family behind and I hope it makes them decide to make better decisions,” student Tatiana Onely said.

The program isn’t just about saving lives, but about building bridges.

“I let my guard down, they let their guard down. I told them stories about me growing up and so they saw me more as a person than as an authority figure,” said Tracey Bass-Caine with the Fayetteville Police Department.

After the skit, students in the audience had the opportunity to hear from law enforcement and other leaders in the community as well as those impacted by violence.

Fayetteville police said the program will be the first of many to come.