Police are taking teens
out to the ball game

When Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey took office in January, he directed district commanders to develop a crime plan that included initiatives with children and the community.
In the 8th Police District, Capt. Deborah Kelly and community-relations officer Joe Hansbury are working with minors who have had run-ins with the law.
Their effort is assisted by Town Watch groups, civic associations and the 8th Police District Advisory Council.
So far, police officers have faced teenagers in three basketball games at local gyms.
Now they’re headed to a Phillies game. Last week, state Sen. Mike Stack (D-5th dist.) presented Kelly and Hansbury with 50 tickets to the team’s afternoon game on Aug. 7 against the Florida Marlins.
Stack made the presentation during the Hoagiefest celebration at the Wawa store at Academy and Byberry roads.
Kelly and Hansbury were on hand to help the 8th district defeat the 7th district in a hoagie-making contest.
Six officers will take 44 kids, ages 13 to 16, to the baseball game.
State House Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-169th dist.), who also attended Hoagiefest, donated bus service for the trip to and from Citizens Bank Park.
Pat’s Pizzeria will provide lunch.
Stack said police officers do more than make arrests.
"They’re out to help people," he said. "They’re like community counselors."
Kelly said her officers’ efforts in working with youths are largely responsible for an 8 percent decrease in crime in the last year.
"Our initiatives are in place; our activities are up, and crime is down," she said. ••