Bridging the Gap: Using Sports to Build Trust with Local Law Enforcement

As the weeks of nationwide violence that occurred in 2020 showed, in order to build a better future our communities need to be able to trust all levels of law enforcement. What better tool than sports to bring together law enforcement and youth in a positive setting? Building and maintaining this relationship may contribute to increasing trust and strengthening community bonds: both components of community policing. We want to get local law enforcement and youth on a level playing (and learning) field—literally.

Nancy Lieberman Charities has opened 92 Dream Courts,™ which serve more than 4.2 million children each year. These state-of-the-art play spaces serve as a mechanism for youth to be physically active, build friends, learn teamwork, and form new relationships. The outdoor basketball courts also function as tools for educational programming.