Three summertime fun nights planned for young people at Albany Civic Center

ALBANY – A summer series of nighttime activities with movies, music and more will help local teenagers shake the summertime blues in a safe and secure environment that could give them something to do and help them stay out of trouble at unsupervised venues.

The Safe Haven project for the summer will provide supervised activities for young people on July 10 and July 31, with an Aug. 7 event planned in conjunction with the annual Fridays on the Flint concert series.

Albany Police Department Chief Michael Persley gave an update on the project to the Dougherty County Commission during the commission’s Monday meeting.

Each of the events will run from 6-9 p.m., with activities provided by the operators of the Flint River Entertainment Complex.

“You see people drop their kids off to do something,” the chief said. “If you’re going to drop them off, at least drop them off with us.

“This is just the start. The Commission Chairman (Lorenzo Heard) has said he wants this to continue, and I think Mr. (Terrell) Jacobs (Albany’s city manager) is right there with him. At least we give them something safe where they don’t have to worry about the next gunshot or the next fist fight to break out.”

The estimated cost for each night is $7,500, or a total of about $22,500, Persley said. The initial two will be held at the Albany Civic Center, with a movie in the ballroom area, music in the arena and an arts and activities offering.

“I’m for it,” Commissioner Anthony Jones said. “That’s the best $7,500 you can spend, (spending) it on our youth.”

The nighttime events harken back to the days when the late Brady Keys provided similar entertainment for young people in the community, Commissioner Victor Edwards said. Those activities drew up to 500 or so young people, and the advertising that Keys provided ensured a large attendance.

The Flint Entertainment staff, along with police officers, will provide security, and his department is looking for some volunteers to assist, Persley said.

Security measures will include a clear-bag policy, screening, wrist bands issued to ensure that individuals are cleared to be inside and a prohibition on loitering in the parking lot.

“We have identified that kids sometimes just want to go hang out at a structured event,” Persley said.

The city and county will provide some funding, and local businesses and individuals also will be asked to help pay the costs for the three nights of entertainment, Heard said. He predicted that providing a safe environment where young people can interact with law enforcement in a positive way will be a benefit.

“I think any time you invest in children and youth, you’re always making a great investment,” the chairman said. “ I think it should be a good experience.”