Rebound program for kids

Growing up, his experience with law enforcement was negative.

On the Right Path, it’s hard to go wrong if you’re a kid.

“I learned as a child (that) when the cops show up, get up out of here,” explained Jackson Patterson, 33, of Marietta. “Back then the blinders were on and I thought, they’re here for no good… Back then I didn’t see the drunk and belligerent, I just saw them taking away my dad.”

But Patterson matured, gained experience and realized the officers were doing their jobs and were human themselves. Next week, he’ll start working in conjunction with area law enforcement to provide a free basketball program for children.

“I want to break down those barriers in where I grew up so these kids have a shot and can make better decisions than I did,” he explained.

For the past three years, he has earned the trust of parents in the neighborhood where he was once the one wearing handcuffs, now giving back as a coach for basketball and baseball.

Now the former felon is focused on catching the children of Marietta’s west side, who might fall through the current social programming cracks and helping them see the humanity in police before they head down his previous path.

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