Jackson Police are making more strides to reach the youth in the community — and they’re doing it through a basketball court and a classroom.”Never back down, Never give up,” said Solomon Vance.That’s the motto Solomon Vance says he and other youth are being taught by his dad, Capt. Christian Vance at the Jackson police training academy.The 13-year-old said, “It really got them out of trouble because most of them their parents brought them here and they were having disciplinary trouble so they brought them to my dad so he could help him play basketball and get rid of that.”They call it P.A.L.S — it stands for police athletic league.It’s the department’s way of reaching the youth.“We’re making a direct impact because these are kids we’ve make contact with three or four times a week from practice to games so these we impact the kids the parents.”In recent years, departments across the country have seen an uptick with youth and teenage crime.The goal here is to keep kids out of the streets, keep them busy and keep them sweating.”We’re gonna OK basketball. We’re gonna win some games that’s cool, but the impact on these kids to pour into them and for them to know that they have people that love them outside their household and to be that helping hand to momma, daddy and grandma to whoever so they can lean on us and rely on us.”Registration for the parks and rec city league is Wednesday, May 1.Also, Wednesday is registration for the citizens youth police academy
Jackson Police are making more strides to reach the youth in the community — and they’re doing it through a basketball court and a classroom.
“Never back down, Never give up,” said Solomon Vance.
That’s the motto Solomon Vance says he and other youth are being taught by his dad, Capt. Christian Vance at the Jackson police training academy.
The 13-year-old said, “It really got them out of trouble because most of them their parents brought them here and they were having disciplinary trouble so they brought them to my dad so he could help him play basketball and get rid of that.”
They call it P.A.L.S — it stands for police athletic league.
It’s the department’s way of reaching the youth.
“We’re making a direct impact because these are kids we’ve make contact with three or four times a week from practice to games so these we impact the kids the parents.”
In recent years, departments across the country have seen an uptick with youth and teenage crime.
The goal here is to keep kids out of the streets, keep them busy and keep them sweating.
“We’re gonna OK basketball. We’re gonna win some games that’s cool, but the impact on these kids to pour into them and for them to know that they have people that love them outside their household and to be that helping hand to momma, daddy and grandma to whoever so they can lean on us and rely on us.”
Registration for the parks and rec city league is Wednesday, May 1.
Also, Wednesday is registration for the citizens youth police academy
