February 4, 2015
Friendly competition builds bridges
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Taking the Plunge Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District Hazelwood East basketball players and St. Louis County police officers after a scrimmage at Hazelwood East High School.
Hazelwood East basketball players scrimmage St. Louis County police officers as a part of a community outreach program By Sara Hardin The members of Hazelwood East’s basketball team recently participated in a scrimmage against a very different opponent than they’re used to - a team made up of members of the St. Louis County Police Department. Captain Norman Mann of the St. Louis County Police Department North County Precinct developed the idea for the scrimmage with East High Activities Director Corey Johnson. “Activities Director Johnson and I had previously talked about the police competing against students and staff prior to the events in Ferguson,” explained Mann. “However, due to the civil unrest we were unable to schedule the scrimmage prior to the Christmas break. Luckily, things have calmed down in our region, which allowed us to have the scrimmage.” “Captain Mann and I wanted to help bridge the gap and we started with a small group of students,” said Corey Johnson, activities director for East High. “Our students get to see police officers in a different setting and it helps the police officers get to know our students.” Mann described the experience as being fulfilling and eye-opening, and that playing basketball with the students offered him and the other officers a perspective that they don’t often get the chance to see, especially following the unrest in Ferguson. “The experience was exhausting, both physically and emotionally. I am not very young and in great shape like the
East basketball players, so it was tough to keep up with them. It was challenging emotionally for me as well because I couldn’t help but imagine what was going through the players’ minds following the unfortunate sequence of events in our region. I was born and raised in North County and still reside here to this day, so I wanted to engage them on a personal level to let them know that I care about them and their futures.” Mann said that both the students and officers benefitted from getting a chance to see each other in a more casual environment. “The scrimmage allowed both the students and the officers to see each other for what they really are. The students saw us in a relaxed environment without the badges and uniforms, which we understand can be intimidating, but the bottom line is we are just people just like them. The officers witnessed positive, dedicated, and hardworking student athletes who can work together towards a common goal, while displaying good sportsmanship. It truly was a great learning experience for everyone.” Similar events are planned for the future according to Mann, including another basketball scrimmage for Hazelwood East and one for Hazelwood Central. He said that the police department and Hazelwood School District are also attempting to get a bowling event scheduled with the Central Bowling Club, as well as a student/teacher volleyball scrimmage at East High. Mann said that on top of the events planned for the
Hazelwood Schools, that the police department will be busy with an array of community outreach events and programs throughout the year. “This is going to be a very busy year for community outreach for the North County Precinct. We recently started a Citizens’ Police Academy in the Spanish Lake area, as well as Walk-n-Talks throughout North County. We are partnering with our Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Associations to sponsor a Boy Scout troop at the Hazelwood Middle Schools. We are engaging youth leadership groups within our local churches in an effort to start a Teen Police Academy and recruit for our Police Explorer See FRIENDLY COMPETITION page 2
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Over the Fence
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Oscar Watch 2015: A graceful farewell from the Rhinestone Cowboy “Glen Campbell...I’ll Be Me” photo courtesy of PCH Films
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