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Alicia Dorn

Communications Director/Public Information Officer

OFFICE: 870-541-5351/CELL: 870-329-5638

Email: alicia.dorn@jeffcoso.org

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Participates in Annual Kickball Game with Pine Bluff Students: Jefferson County, Arkansas – May 17, 2019 – In an effort to bridge the gap between the youth and local law enforcement, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office participated in an annual kickball tournament against Pine Bluff students attending Belair Alternative School. The annual tournament is a ‘Fun Day’ created by “What’s Next Pine Bluff.”

“Bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement has always been a top priority for me,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. “There is a disconnect and a stigma surrounding law enforcement. We are often seen as people that should only be called for emergencies or when someone is in trouble. We are rarely ever seen as human; people who can let their hair down.”

Nathaniel Baker, CEO of “What’s Next Pine Bluff”, stated that students had expressed their dislike and distrust for law enforcement, which stems from a lack of understanding. Because of this disconnect, the organization began the annual kickball tournament in 2017 as an innovative way to help the students to see law enforcement in a different light, outside of their uniforms.

“Most of the students participating in this tournament have been in situations that involved local law enforcement, so when law enforcement agents and personnel come out and play with the students, they see them as human and feel that they care for them,” said Baker. “When law enforcement come out and participate, they see that the youth just need some love and affection from them.”

Baker emphasized that it means a lot for law enforcement to take time each year to spend time with the youth and get to know them. “These are the kids that need us the most,” he said. “We need more leaders in the community to get involved.”