More and more, police departments all over the country are going the extra mile to get to know their community. In a world filled with news of arrests and conflict, it’s been a great reminder of all the good police officers can do.
The Pompton Lakes Police Department in New Jersey received calls complaining of underage drinking, noise, and disruption at a nearby school. When they arrived at the scene, they assessed the situation and took an unconventional, but amazing, approach.
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Upon receiving the call, Sgt. Joe Ruffo, Ptl. Eddie Bartlett, and Ptl. John LoGreco made their way to Lakeside School where the disturbance was said to be coming from. Upon further inspection, the officers determined there were no intoxicated juveniles, just a bunch of kids playing some pick-up basketball.
Instead of making a big deal out of the situation, the officers asked if they could join in. The teenagers agreed and they all split into two teams: Team LoGreco and Team Ruffo.
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After a rousing game, Team LoGreco ended up winning 5-4 against Team Ruffo.
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The police department shared the story on their Facebook page, along with a video of the game. It didn’t take long for the community to notice and applaud the officers for a job well done. One person commented, “Nice job. Positive interaction with today’s youth goes a long way” while another wrote, “Thank God for the great PLPD Officers! I’m sure the boys will never forget this night.”
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Thanks to these officers, that night those kids got to just be kids and get a unique and fun experience. Even better, we have a feeling this won’t be the last time we see a great story like this one.
Check out the pick-up game in the video below, and be sure to spread the word and share this story with your friends!
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