The event concluded with youth and law enforcement officers sharing the court for a basketball game. Photo courtesy of Rancho Cordova Police Activities League

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Basketballs bounced across the court as young players practiced shooting, dribbling and passing alongside coaches and law enforcement officers, but the lessons at Rockball extended beyond the game.

Nearly 50 children participated in the Straps Over Straps Basketball & Gun Violence Awareness Camp on Sept. 5, a free event combining basketball instruction, mentorship, gun violence awareness and opportunities for youth to build relationships with law enforcement.

The camp marked the first partnership between Straps Over Straps and the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League (PAL). Straps Over Straps is in its second year of hosting the program.

Rancho Cordova Police Department officers alongside Councilmember Joe Little joined the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League for the Straps Over Straps Basketball & Gun Violence Awareness Camp on Sept. 5. Photo courtesy of Rancho Cordova Police Activities League

Rancho Cordova Police Chief Shaun Hampton said the event fits into PAL's broader goal of reaching young people early and helping them become comfortable interacting with officers.

“We want to keep the kids off the street and out of trouble,” Hampton said. “We do that by engaging with them and getting them comfortable being around us.”

Hampton said Rancho Cordova does not have a significant youth gun violence problem, but programs like the camp are intended to help prevent one by providing education and building trust before problems arise.

“Kids are not naive to what's occurring around them,” Hampton said. “They've already been educated and talked to about it and talked to a deputy or an officer that they trust.”

Nearly 50 children participated in the Straps Over Straps Basketball & Gun Violence Awareness Camp on Sept. 5. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Throughout the camp, children participated in drills led by Robert Fields of Monterey Trail High School, Dante Miller of Hoop Skills Factory, Kiel Myers of Buckets on Wheels and Kenneth Duncan of Ball Out Academy.

The event concluded with youth and law enforcement officers sharing the court for a basketball game.

Chad Briscoe, the creator of Straps Over Straps, said the idea developed after he heard a television report about gun violence in Oakland and began thinking about how basketball could bring youth and law enforcement together.

“Put down the gunstrap to pick up a ball,” Briscoe said of the idea behind the program.

Throughout the camp, children participated in drills led by several coaches in attendance. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Briscoe said he wanted children to meet officers through something they enjoy instead of first encountering them during an emergency or tragedy.

“If we can get them in that age group, 6 to 13, and steer them in a way that police officers are here to support you and help you, then we do that,” Briscoe said. “You get them early, build that relationship.”

Basketball provides common ground, he said, allowing children and officers to interact naturally and begin recognizing each other as people.

Catherine Swanson, a youth services officer with the Rancho Cordova Police Department, said building those relationships is a major part of PAL's work.

Rockball owner Jennifer Mello (right) and basketball director Wayne Smith (left) said hosting the event gave Rockball another opportunity to serve local youth through basketball. Photo by Ornella Rossi

PAL offers after-school programming and weekend activities for Rancho Cordova youth, including outings and other opportunities offered at no cost to families. According to officers PAL serves children as young as 6 and continues working with youth through age 17.

Swanson said some children may primarily see police officers responding to incidents in their neighborhoods. PAL gives them a chance to interact in a different environment.

“Here, they can get to know them by their first name and see that they also like the same things,” Swanson said. “We just want to give them those opportunities to make new friends, try something out, free of cost to families.”

Rancho Cordova City Councilmember Joe Little said programs like the camp contribute to stronger neighborhoods by giving children opportunities to stay active, meet mentors and form positive relationships.

“We're a family city, and all kinds of families in all shapes and sizes, and we want to provide opportunities for all kids to play and stay active,” Little said.

PAL offers after-school programming and weekend activities for Rancho Cordova youth, including outings and other opportunities offered at no cost to families. From left are Youth Services Officer Rancho Cordova Police Department Brett Wihtol and Catherine Swanson. Photo courtesy of Rancho Cordova Police Activities League

Children at the camp also heard from Sacramento County sheriff's deputies about lessons that extend beyond basketball.

“Everyone has something you're good at,” Deputy Randy Adams told the children. “Whatever it is, work for it.”

Deputy Clancy Bird left participants with three points to remember: “Hard work, self-control and being your best when your best is required.”

Rockball owner Jennifer Mello and basketball director Wayne Smith said hosting the event gave Rockball another opportunity to serve local youth through basketball.

“A lot of what the kids see is social media,” Smith said. “So to be able to be hands-on with these police officers, see them in person and be able to change a little bit their perspective ... I think this is a great opportunity.”

For Samuel, one of the young participants, the reason for attending was simple.

“I've been trying to make some hoops,” he said. “Sometimes I've been making it, sometimes I've not.”

For more information on the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League and its programs visit https://www.rcpdpal.org/.