Courtesy photo Members of the Delta Force Class of 2025 are pictured on Law & Order Day (Thursday, June 26) in front of the Delta County Jail, where they were given a guided tour by Lieutenant Jeff Vallier (pictured on far left side), and also by Sergeant Cory Marmalick (pictured on far right side).

ESCANABA — On Delta Force Law & Order Day, students were impressed in seeing firsthand the challenges our law enforcement professionals face on a daily basis.

The day included a tour of Bay Pines Treatment and Detention Center, discussions with juvenile offenders, presentations about the drug problem and criminal justice system, and a tour of the Delta County Jail. (Prior to Thursday’s session, Delta Force students had each done a ride-along with law enforcement so that they could have a clearer understanding of a day in the life of a police officer.)

During our visit to Bay Pines, we learned from Center Director Patrick McKeage about how he and his staff aim to rehabilitate the young residents through productive activities, extensive mental health therapy, and studying for their high school diplomas.

One of the highlights of our tour of Bay Pines was the garden area, where the staff and residents grow and cultivate many different types of vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, and even a butterfly garden. They also take care of a large flock of chickens.

Bay Pines Center Program Manager and Trades Instructor Tom Wetthuhn explained that the goal at the Center is to teach the residents in the all-girl facility techniques in dealing with their problems and guiding them in making positive choices — even helping out in our community–so that they can hopefully return to their communities as productive citizens.

“We get them out into the local community to help out,” Wetthuhn explained. “Through Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the girls are able to become productive citizens through work, for instance, in helping elderly people with their yardwork and day-to-day tasks.”

Residents are also able to study online through Edgenuity to receive their high school diploma, with some graduating early. When finished, the students receive an Escanaba High School diploma, and have the opportunity to take college courses. Several residents I spoke to have nearly finished their high school classes and will receive their diplomas soon–and they’re 15 and 17 years old.

Though they’re on the right path now, these young residents’ stories are all different, but one theme seems common–getting involved with the wrong people.

One 17-year-old resident — M (shortened for privacy) — says she was “hanging with a bad crowd,” which eventually led to her getting into drugs.

Now that she’s at Bay Pines, M says she is learning coping skills in dealing with her anxiety. “I love nature, so if I’m ever angry or feeling anxiety, I try to look outside at the trees blowing in the wind to calm myself.” She also says she is looking forward to one day traveling. “I really love to travel, and I love to ski, so I hope to be able to travel to ski in new areas someday.”

Another 15-year old resident, L, also finds the coping skills taught to her by one of the therapists, Carrie Rasmusson–affectionately known as Ms. R–to be very beneficial. “Ms. R is the best therapist,” L said–“and I’ve been to a lot of therapists. She has given me coping skills to help me deal with my problems.”

She too has plans for her future, after leaving Bay Pines. “When I return home, I’m planning on going on to community college,” she smiled.

Along with licensed mental health therapists, Bay Pines also employs state-certified teachers and licensed practical social workers who give the girls the help they need so that they can return to the outside world changed for the better.

Delta Force students were impressed by the residents’ positive outlooks and personalized attention they receive from Bay Pines staff.

In fact, the residents so moved two Delta Force students that they decided to volunteer for Bay Pines in the near future.

“After touring Bay Pines and listening to the residents talk with us, it’s clear that they’ve been dealt a tough hand,” said Delta Force student Becca Wagner. “Seeing them trying to turn their lives around was inspiring. “I’m planning on seeing how I can help out and volunteer in some capacity in the future.”

Another student, Heather Bergstrom, was impressed by the dedicated staff at Bay Pines: “These are people who care and want to help. It was so nice to see the residents excited to share the things they love with us,” she said. “These girls deserve to feel a normal sense of community, and I’d like to help out with that.”

Along with having the opportunity to receive their high school diplomas, the Bay Pines residents also learn food service skills, eventually becoming ServSafe certified through a program taught by Wetthuhn in the Bay Pines kitchen.

After touring Bay Pines, Delta Force students traveled to the Delta County Circuit Court Room, where they listened to presentations by Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos and District Court Judge Steven Parks. Students learned about the difference in District Court, Circuit Court, and Probate Court, how plea bargains and minimum and maximum sentence guidelines work, and about the success stories of the County’s Drug and Sobriety Court.

Students then heard from law enforcement professionals in a community policing panel discussion. Led by Escanaba Director of Public Safety John Gudwer, Detective Lieutenant Tabitha Turnacliff, Michigan State Troopers Josiah Povich and Amanda Beem, and Lieutenant Kurt Wilson, they discussed the challenges they face and how they work together to create a safe community.

Law & Order Day ended with a community policing question and answer session with the students at the Delta County Jail facility, led by law enforcement members including: Public Safety Director John Gudwer, Prosecutor Lauren Wickman, Lieutenant Jeff Vallier, and Sergeant Cory Marmalick.

Students then took a guided tour of the jail, where they were able to see the pods and cells the inmates live in, the jail kitchen, along with the garages and grounds.

The objective of Delta Force is to acquaint participants with community issues and opportunities; increase leadership skills of program participants; provide participants with opportunities to network and exchange ideas with each other and community leaders; and to encourage and assist graduates in finding volunteer roles in the community.

Created and facilitated by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, Delta Force encompasses a series of ten full-day sessions designed to be highly interactive and thought-provoking. A typical day involves a combination of group discussions, field trips, and presentations by respected local leaders. Visit deltami.org/delta-force-leadership-program.

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Victoria LaFave is with the Delta County Chamber of Commerce