CUMBERLAND COUNTY — Criminals are getting younger in Cumberland County. According to the Sheriff's Office, one out of three burglaries last year was committed by someone under age 16. One recreation center keeps working to change those numbers by changing lives.

At Fayetteville's Smith Recreation Center, one of the main messages for young people is not to make a mistake that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Director Leslie Thorne says he teaches kids how to play to win at the game of life.

"If you get a kid into something, then you know what he's doing at all times. That's what we do," he says.

Burglars may be getting younger, but according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, the number of burglaries has actually gone down in the past two years.