ALTON – The Alton Police Department, in partnership with YWCA, laced up their sneakers and the hit court for its annual “Ballin’ With A Cop” event Saturday morning.
One of the keys about the event, was to pay tribute and remember Romell Jones, an 11-year-old boy, who was shot and killed waiting to be picked up for basketball practice in Alton in 2016 at Alton Acres.
Today the kids and the police officers faced each other in basketball games. The officers seemed a little tired after about four 10 minute quarters while the kids and officers rotated in each quarter.
” Its a great day to come together with the kids in the community and just have a good time and make them friendship and connections and if they do see us, they will know us and build that community bond” Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said
There were about 50 kids and about 15 officers that participated in the event. After the games were over the kids participated in a three-point contest and a free throw contest. The top three kids received trophies in each event.
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