Dozens of kids stepped to the line to sink free throws, showing participating Morton Grove police officers and personnel they have game.
It was officers versus about 25 high-scoring 7-to-14-year-olds Nov. 4 in the annual free throw contest at the Prairie View Community Center in Morton Grove. The event is hosted by the Morton Grove Police Department.
“Our focus is providing a great environment for the kids in the community,” said police Chief Mike Weitzel.
Ibraheem Khalique, 8, a third-grader at MCC Academy of Morton Grove school, came in first place. Second place went to Kate Whalen, 13, an eighth-grader from Glenview.
New basketballs and gift certificates were prizes.
“We love for them to see police officers as approachable and accessible should they need someone to help them … perform connections with them, and they can see us as positive influences,” said Weitzel.
The chief said the event is in partnership with the Park District, which provides the space for free.
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Justin Jurasz, Morton Grove police community liaison officer, said the goal each year is fun and community unity. It also lets the kids know that some officers like to play basketball just like some youth do.
“We’re building community, relationships, camaraderie. We want to ensure that kids can trust police officers. We don’t want them to be afraid of us,” said Jurasz.
Parents of participating kids and other adult spectators, including Breera Rihman, of Gurnee, Tasneem Patel, of Morton Grove, and Shannon Willemssen, of the Edison Park neighborhood in Chicago praised the event for its community involvement and pure fun for the kiddos.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.