The Jackson Police Department is going the extra mile to reach young people in the area. And we do it on the basketball court and in the classroom. “Never back down, never give up,” said Solomon Vance. That's what Solomon Vance says is his and his motto. Other young men are taught by his father, Lt. Christian Vance, at the Jackson Police Training Academy. The 13-year-old said, “Most of them had their parents bring them here and they were being disciplined, so that really helped them get out of the way.” “There's a problem, so I helped my dad play basketball, and they took them to him so he could solve the problem.” They call it PALS – it's the police Abbreviation for athletic league. This is the police department's way of approaching youth. “We have direct contact.” “These are kids that we're in contact with three or four times a week from practice to games, so it's impacting the kids and the parents.” In recent years, We are seeing an increase in youth and teen crime in every sector across the country. The goal here is to keep kids off the streets, busy, and sweaty. “We're going to be OK with basketball. We're going to win some great games, but knowing the impact that's going to be on these kids and knowing that there are people outside of their families that love them.” , Mom, Dad and Grandma will be able to lend a helping hand to anyone. “They can lean on us and rely on us.'' Registration for the Park and Reccity League is 5. It's Wednesday, the 1st of the month. Also, Wednesday is registration for the Citizen Youth Police Academy.
The Jackson Police Department is going the extra mile to reach youth in the community, and they're doing it on the basketball court and in the classroom.
“Never back down, never give up,” Solomon Vance said.
That's the motto Solomon Vance says he and other young men learn from his father, Lt. Christian Vance, at the Jackson Police Training Academy.
A 13-year-old boy said, “Most of them, their parents brought their kids here and they had discipline problems, so my dad helped them play basketball and helped them solve that problem.'' They really saved the day because they took me to the.'' . ”
They call it PALS – it stands for Police Athletic League.
That's how the ministry reaches out to young people.
“We're directly impacting the kids and the parents because they're the kids we're in contact with three or four times a week from practice to games.”
In recent years, crimes committed by juveniles and teenagers have been increasing in ministries and agencies across the country.
The goal here is to keep kids off the streets, busy, and sweaty.
“Basketball is fine. We're going to win the cool games, but the impact it has on the kids and for them to know that there's someone outside of their family that loves them and that there's a hand to help them.” What you do will have a huge impact on our children.'' Just like moms, dads, and grandmas, everyone can depend on us and rely on us. ”
Registration for the Parks and Rec City League is Wednesday, May 1st.
Also, Wednesday is registration day for the Citizen Youth Police Academy.