LOUISIANA FATHERS FORM ‘DADS ON DUTY’ GROUP TO STOP VIOLENCE AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL
After multiple fights at Southwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the arrests of 23 students within 72 hours, a group of almost 40 fathers, many in which are Black stepped up to in effort to stop the violence.
Dads on Duty dedicate their time on campus from when students first arrive to when they go home for the day. The super group takes shifts to ensure there are always 6-10 fathers at the school. They started out with five fathers and have since expanded to nearly 40 fathers, many who have children at the school.
The dads are there to keep positive energy, serve as mentors, and to let the kids know that they have someone to always count on.
“Although we’re titled ‘Dad’s on Duty,’ we also serve as uncle’s on duty, we serve as men of the community on duty,” a member said. “Because there are some folks who don’t have a father or don’t have such a great relationship with their father, and it’s our goal to let them see what the right relationship with a male figure is supposed to look like.”
Since the group has been active on school ground there hasn’t been any reported incidents of violence.
Michael LaFitte told CBS News he started Dads on Duty because “we decided the best people who can take care of kids are who? Are us.” Since the group formed, there have been no fights on campus, with one student explaining, “The school has just been happy, and you can feel it.”
Many students grow up without having a father figure in their life or someone they can count on, so the group is essential for unprivileged students. Dads on Duty will remain active at Southwood High, and would like to expand to other schools across the country.