Hoops and Dreams: Getting on defense against gangs
Story Created:
Jul 14, 2010 at 4:39 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jul 14, 2010 at 9:02 PM EDT
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - In the midst of youth violence in the city of Utica, a program called Hoops and Dreams is working to get kids off the streets and into the courts - the basketball courts.
500 basketball players are expected to participate in Hoops and Dreams this year during the three-day basketball tournament for kids of all ages and ability. The event will be held in Proctor Park in Utica, with games tipping off on Friday, July 16.
Even law enforcement is getting in on the action with a team, as Utica Police Chief Mark Williams says his officers are ready to play.
"It presents another chance for the police department to have some community outreach, where we're actually with the community, delivering the proper message of stopping the violence," Chief Williams said. "You get to see the officers outside their uniforms in plain clothes like everybody else, like regular people, and I think that's important."
The goal of the program is to get kids off the streets and onto the courts, while teaching them to steer clear of gang violence.
Following the games, featured speakers and team captains will talk about how they can personally work to end violence.
It is a message that's all too timely for the founder of Hoops and Dreams - Patrick Johnson.
"During this basketball tournament, during this time of the year and with the unfortunate events of yesterday, it's appropriate that once again, we raise the awareness about violence and gang like activity," Johnson said.
"This basketball court that we see behind us," Johnson said at a press conference for the event on Wednesday. "We transform that into a classroom and we have that opportunity to after a game to introduce motivational speakers and just for a few minutes take that opportunity to educate the community."
Utica Police Chief Mark Williams says there are two basic types of gangs in Utica - ethnic gangs and drug gangs. The most recent gang incident in East Utica appears to have been the result of an ethnic gang, Chief Williams said.
But on the court at Hoops and Dreams, there are no gangs, just teams and teamwork.
Organizers hope the program is a step towards getting everyone on that same team, playing against violence.
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