Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Police help replace basketball net
Coatesville police officers unveiled the basketball net on Elm Street
COATESVILLE » Cora Brazzle, who is described as the neighborhood grandmother, took the first shot Monday at the new basketball net on Elm Street.
The net replacement came about when the Coatesville Police Department contacted the “Basketball Cop Foundation,” a national program that helps Law Enforcement agencies nationwide to have a positive impact on the kids in their communities, primarily by supplying the agencies with sports equipment.
Within a week, the replacement net arrived. Several Coatesville police officers volunteered their time to put the free-standing basketball net together. Coatesville police delivered it on Monday afternoon with lights and sirens to the 500 block of Elm Street.
“It was put together by guys who have your back,” Coatesville police Sgt. Rodger Ollis told the crowd that gathered to see the net unveiled.
The police department chaplains blessed the basketball net for a place where the children can come and play together for God’s glory.
Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer said officers had been on Elm Street because of a drug-related crime and the officers were providing a service that police are known for: investigating
“It was put together by guys who have your back.”
— Coatesville police Sgt. Rodger Ollis
a crime and also prevention measures. At that time, the officers noticed a group of kids playing basketball at a net in disrepair. They wanted to help.
Ollis, with permission from Laufer, contacted the Foundation for assistance. The program began in Florida after Officer Bobby White responded to a noise complaint of a group of kids playing basketball. After a brief interaction with them, he returned a few days later with a group of officers who played them in a game. The patrol video, posted on social media, went viral and later Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal, a former NBA player, became involved in the program which became the Basketball Cop Foundation. The program helps underserved children.
“It’s a great opportunity for the police department and city officials to serve the youth in the city,” Laufer said. “The officers were excited and they coordinated to put it together.”
Ollis thanked Laufer because under his leadership the officers and city officials could provide something “different” in serving the community. Ollis said that through the national
program, the officials only ask that the net is “loved and cared for.”
Basketball is a popular sport in the city because the youths can play together or practice their free-throws by themselves.
Kareem Johnson helped coordinate the community event by gathering the youths to clean up the area and he hosted a cookout. He said it teaches them responsibility and they can have fun working together.
“I like to see the kids playing well together,” Johnson said. “The kids love playing basketball.”
Ollis thanked Johnson and Todd Hood for their assistance in this project.
Hood, 27, an avid basketball player, enjoys playing with the other kids his age and younger because he mentors to them.
“I love these kids as much as my own son,” Todd said. “They need somebody.”
His father was killed by police in Los Angeles and he grew up fatherless in Coatesville. He struggled with addiction, but since becoming sober two years ago, he is living out his vow to give back to the community. He gives advice to the neighborhood youth, he listens to them and he tells them how he handled some personal struggles.
“I can relate to them because I’ve been there,” Todd said.
He understands what it’s like not having parents to help and he serves as a role model to the other kids, on and off the basketball court.
Visit Daily Local News staff writer Ginger Rae Dunbar’s blog about journalism and volunteering as a firefighter at FirefighterGinger.blogspot.com.