ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - A new summer basketball program in Roanoke is working to connect the police with youth in the community.
On Wednesday, Roanoke City Councilman Sherman Lea announced the creation of the Lea's Youth Outdoor Basketball League.
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Open to anyone between the ages of 11 and 18 years old, the league will feature police officers in a variety of roles, from coaches, to timekeepers and fans. Lea said he was motivated to start the league after seeing recent problems in Baltimore and Ferguson. The goal is to strengthen the relationship between police officers and teenagers.
"I knew there were church meetings where people were talking, community organizations were talking, but lets do something the young people can identify with," Leas said. "Lets use sports."
Roanoke City Police Officer Josh Johnson helped develop the league with Lea and several other community members. He hopes the league will help teenagers see police in a more positive light.
"We're getting calls for domestic (violence) or suspicious individuals but you're not dealing with these people on a personal level," Johnson said. "I think that's what we're going to try and engage here."
Teams will play every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Melrose Park. Lea said they chose the park because it's in a neighborhood in need of a boost.
The league starts June 2 at 6 p.m. League sign-up sheets will be distributed in Roanoke City Schools. Teams will be assigned at Melrose Park on May 30 starting at 9 a.m.