Salisbury Police reach out to community through lacrosse
Strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the community they serve. There are a lot of different ways to do it but we don't often think of sports, or of lacrosse.
On Delmarva that may be the perfect way to unite the two and that's the idea that was hashed out by a judge, a police chief and other officials.
They saw a need in Salisbury, and have now started a program to help in an area that has been clouded with problems.
On Thursday night on a quiet field in Doverdale, 47 ABC went to observe the first-year program's success.
“The kids really enjoy seeing you ,” said Aaron “Bull” Hudson, a patrolman at the Salisbury Police Dept. “It's really a good thing to be part of the community and that way if you come here for a problem sometimes it's like, ‘hey you're the guy I saw playing lacrosse that one time’, so you have that comfort level or rapport that they are at ease talking to us.
“It was a natural fit,” said Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan. “We saw a need here. We saw kids in the neighborhood that were looking for something to do, looking for interaction. Our officers were looking for ways to connect and this builds right into Wicomico High School and their lacrosse program."
“This is our first year doing Doverdale lacrosse and it's awesome,” said Lensky Saintil. “There are a lot of kids playing lacrosse and it's awesome.”
The group gets together every Tuesday and Thursday night and during their gatherings they test more than just physical strength and athleticism, they test the heart.
“It's awesome playing out here with these kids, it definitely is,” said Patrolman John Dimare of the Salisbury Police Department. “I grew up in the community just down the street so it means a lot.”
Outfitted in gear that was provided by the State Attorney's Office and City Council, the young men are learning about more than a game. They are learning about gratitude, friendship, and their community.
“It's a perfect bridge into leadership development, sportsmanship, communication, conflict resolution, de-escalation, it's all right here for us,” said Chief Duncan.
“They gave me the opportunity to do sports again because I've done football before but I wasn't really good at it so I'm trying to find something I'm good at right now,” said Kalil Jones.
The program is set up for both boys and girls. Police Chief Barbara Duncan says that equipment for females just arrived and on Tuesday there will be sign-ups. If you have a child, boy or girl that you want to have get involved, you can go to the park next Tuesday between 5:45 and 6:30 or you can call the police department to learn more.
