Basketball tourney today seeks to bridge gap of understanding between police, residents

YOUNGSTOWN

Earlier this month, the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an 18-year old unarmed black teenager shot by a white Ferguson, Mo., police officer, brought a flurry of vigils and protests.

That police killing, as well those of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland and Eric Garner on a street in Staten Island, N.Y., have sparked a national dialogue about how to improve relationships between law enforcement and the communities they police.

In Youngstown, local leaders are looking to bridge that gap and hope that some friendly competition will be a step forward.

Members of law enforcement teamed up with 14-19-year-old youths for a double-elimination-style basketball tournament this afternoon at East High School on Bennington Avenue. The tournament, dubbed the “Valley’s Finest Basketball Tournament” was the brainchild of Joselyn Carter, president of Silence Prevents Education and Knowledge (SPEAK), a local youth-empowerment organization.

“There so many negative portrayals in the media of police officers and of young adults from the inner city,” she said. “Events like this can show kids not to be afraid of the police and show the police not to be afraid of kids.”

Read more about today's event in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.