- September 18, 2018
- By Carly Taylor ’19
Officers from the University of Maryland Police Department and two other neighboring jurisdictions suited up and tipped off with local youth on Friday evening for a quarterly friendly—but competitive basketball game.
The Community-Police Dream Team is a partnership of UMD’s Office of Community Engagement, UMPD, Prince George’s county Police Department, Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Park Police and Department of Parks and Recreation to foster stronger relationships with children in the community.
This game drew kids from Lakeland, College Park’s historic African-American community, un the run-up to next weekend’s Lakeland Heritage Weekend.
UMPD Lt. August Kenner was one of several officers who participated in the event.
Moses Sneijder Lopez Ayala is a member of the Prince George’s County Police Explorers Post 1111. The fifth-grader at Riverdale Elementary School would like to be a police officer when he grows up, since he loves to help people.
Officer Kassouf and Jahmari White jump at tip-off to win possession of the ball.
Children wear T-shirts with the phrase “Police Unity Community,” celebrating the connection between the police and local community.
Police from the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, University of Maryland Police Department and Prince George’s County Police Department pose with local youths at the event.