Sunday, August 16, 2015
By SARAH LEHR
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 as 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- to 19-year-old youths for a double-elimination-style basketball tournament Saturday 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, or 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.”
About 80 people participated in the tournament. Each of the 10 teams participating included two members of law enforcement. Carter said she was pleased with the turn-out.
“It’s a big step forward,” she said. “Though, we still have a lot of work to do.”
The Wildcats, a six-person team with members ranging from 15 to 47 years old, had high hopes for success.
“We’re here to win the championship,” Will Harris, a Mahoning County deputy sheriff, said.
“I think we’ve got what it takes,” added 15-year old Gerald Womack, another team member.
Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees said he hoped the tournament would give police officers and young people a chance to get to know one another in a relaxed, informal setting.
“Hopefully, through this, there’s some connection, some dialogue,” he said. “Hopefully, we can make some inroads.”
Guy Burney, coordinator of the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence, echoed that wish.
“We’re here, first and foremost, to build relationships. And,” he said, “to play basketball, of course.”