Basketball Cop Foundation Inc

It is no secret that there is a damaged relationship between our country's Law Enforcement and the youth in the communities we serve. I believe that this is driven by a lack of trust, misunderstanding, and misperception. I also believe that kids do not prefer to feel this way, but society, with the help of social media and the news has influenced them. ​ Kids who do not trust or respect the police are less likely to report being a victim of a crime and even less likely to come forward as a witness of a crime. It is a fact that kids that have no reason to respect the law or the Officers in their community are far more likely to commit juvenile crimes themselves. ​ I believe that the only way that we, as Police Officers, are going to repair these relationships is by proactively going out into the communities and interacting with the kids in a positive manner. ​ There are many ways to do this. It can be as easy as saying "Hi", giving a "high five" as we walk by, or engaging them in conversation. This works to a point, but it's hard to make a solid connection with a 10 year old when you have little in common. That's where sports become a valuable tool....Especially basketball! ​ You would be hard pressed to find a kid who doesn't enjoy basketball. Add a Police Officer who can dribble a ball, and you have just founded the beginning of a relationship. ​ The Basketball Cop Foundation's mission is to connect Law Enforcement agencies across the country with the kids in their communities. This will be accomplished primarily by supplying the agencies with sports equipment. The recipient agency will then in turn donate the equipment to groups of kids in their community through their Patrol Officers. Not only does the initial donation of the equipment open the door to new relationships, but it gives the Patrol Officers in those areas a place where they know they can interact with kids on a regular basis and continue to build on those relationships. ​ Beyond supplying sports equipment, the foundation would also fund Police/Youth community events, Police/Youth sports tournaments, and fund the renovation and building of basketball courts in apartment complexes, parks, churches, etc. ​ What makes this mission great, is that not only is it simple to execute, but it has been proven to be effective. In just a short time (as of 11/4/16), the foundation has supplied basketball goals to 27 different Law Enforcement agencies across the country, connecting hundreds of officers with hundreds of kids. We have also built two basketball courts here in Gainesville and are just about a month away from building a third!!! ​ Together as a community, we can make a difference in the future of our country's youth!