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Police Departments Hold First Community Soccer Event By Ivan Ayala Music, sports and community involvement all came together at the Newport News Riverview Farm Park on May 31 thanks to the efforts of the Newport News Police Department (NNPD) Hispanic Outreach program and the Norfolk Police Department (NPD). Assistant Chief of Police Dawn Barber hopes to see an improvement in community relations as a result of the Saturday soccer tournament. "We are seeking to forge positive relationships between the Newport News Police Department and the Hispanic community," she said. An April 9 article in the Daily Press reported that Hispanics are afraid to associate with law enforcement, making them prime targets for criminal activity ranging from theft to scams of all types since perpetrators believe Hispanics are not as likely to report the crime. Newport News Police Spokesman Lou Thurston told the Daily Press that Hispanics often do not trust local police and banks. In addition to sponsoring events like the soccer tournament, the NNPD goes into local Hispanics communities in and around Newport News to pass along helpful information as part of its outreach program. Sgt Xavier Falero, a 10-year veteran with the NNPD and the driving force behind the soccer tournament and the outreach program, also speaks about criminal trends and crime prevention during a 30-minute radio show on Selecta 1050 AM every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. "We want to let the Hispanic community know that we are here to help and provide assistance however we can," Falero said. The first Hispanic Outreach soccer tournament featured teams including the NNPD, the NPD and Selecta 1050 AM's "Los Heavy Duty de Hampton Roads" competing in 30-minute games. The fans on the sidelines vigorously cheered on their teams and the coaches yelled instructions and kept spirits up. All this ensured that each contest was an exciting display of competition, teamwork and camaraderie. Soccer was not the event's only attraction. The band Golpe de la Sierra filled the air with live music and the sounds of a keyboard, drums and cowbells could be heard from the parking lot many yards away. To round out the event, the NNPD provided a canine demonstration on a field adjacent to the soccer field. The police officers displayed just how disciplined and ferocious their four-legged partners are. Because of the overall success of this sporting event, the NNPD looks forward to planning similar events in the future and continuing to relay their message of support for the local Hispanic community. Another soccer tournament will be held June 28 in Norfolk. The exact location will be announced on Selecta 1050 AM and SaborHR.com. |
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