Wilson police trade beat patrol for hoops in bid to prevent crime

The initiative is part of a crime prevention effort by the town's Police Athletic League, which hopes to establish bonds with the youngsters that will reach beyond the B-ball court.

"With them seeing us out here (and) with us working with them, it makes more of a human interaction, and they see we are here to help them," said Wilson police Officer Rob Weatherford.

The basketball camp is free and open to boys and girls who are 9 to 14 years old.

"I get to come here and see police officers and some of my friends," said Ashton Pittman, who is participating in the camp.

In several instances, some of the police officers become more like friends, or at least not as intimidating. That's the goal for the police department, which stages the sports camps during the year when students are not in class as a way of keeping them off the street and out of trouble.

"You still have a lot of shopping and returns going on at local businesses," said Officer Craig Smith. "This is an age group (where) you sometimes have kids that get taken into custody for shoplifting. We would rather have them here having fun with us."

And the kids agree. They like the opportunity to get to know the police officers in a fun and laid-back environment.

"They interact with us and keep us out of trouble," Ashton said.

"We see what the kids are going through on the streets," Weatherford said. "It was good to get them in here with us so we can have that interaction with them."

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