Police, Teenagers to Compete in Basketball Tournament

For many teenagers in the Pico-Union area, contact with the Los Angeles Police Department often involves foul behavior and ends up in court.

For a few dozen youths from the tough neighborhoods near MacArthur Park, there may be some fouls this Saturday, but they’ll be on a basketball court, where six community basketball teams will face two squads from the LAPD’s Rampart station in a double-elimination tournament.

“Everybody involved in the effort benefits,” said Officer Aaron McCraney, who helped organize the basketball events. “The kids and the police officers are equally excited. This is an incredible collaboration between community organizations and law enforcement to work toward our common goals of having kids make the right choices for themselves.”

“We’re excited because it is good for the community,” said Mitchel Moore, a member of Rampart’s Community Police Advisory Board and founder of Hearts of Los Angeles Youth, a group that will field a team.

The other community teams are from the Bresee Foundation, the Red Shield Salvation Army, El Centro del Pueblo, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans and the Korean Youth Community. Two billboards advertising the event and featuring the artwork of Rampart Officer Joel Espinoza have been placed in the community.

“I’m very excited because it gives me an opportunity to play against some people that protect us, and have some fun,” said Jermaine Levy, 17, who plays basketball for Manual Arts High School and will play for the Heart of Los Angeles Youth team. Levy predicted a victory for his squad.

The games will be played at Red Shield Salvation Army, 1532 W. 11th St., from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.