Balltoberfest helping to promote positive interaction between police and youth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The second annual Balltoberfest charity event was held Saturday at Colorado Springs Scheels to help make a difference in the CSPD program, Play COS and create positivity in the community between youth and police.

People donated sports balls to the CSPD patrol division to be given out to kids and teens during their shifts. The balls all go to a kid in the community, either through an officer one-on-one with a kid or as a donation to 13 local schools.

“We provide sports balls to all of our cops in the city," CSPD Sergeant Jason Newton said. "They have them in the trunks of their cars, and when they see a kid in a tough time or even just see a kid playing, they go out and play a game of catch with them. It's great when you see a kid get a new sports ball. They light up and you see the world in a better light."

Play COS has gained a lot of support since it started in January 2021. So far, CSPD officers have given away over 3,100 balls to local teens and kids. All in an effort to promote that positive interaction.

"We want kids in the community to trust police, and it's been hard," Newton said. "There's so much negative stereotypes. But we're just fathers, mothers, husbands, I have bad dad jokes, and we just want the kids to be able to trust us. When you kick a ball back and forth, when you pass a football, you don't have to be from the same background or speak the same language, and you build that instant connection."

They've done about 64 events around the community in which CSPD visits local schools, plays a game or two with kids, then sits down and has a conversation with them about life.

"They can see us in a different light instead of always responding to an emergency," Newton said. "We're just normal people."

Some schools don't have sports equipment due to budget cuts. So part of Play COS is donating equipment to 13 schools city-wide so those kids can have that outlet.

"When I see a kid light up when I'm tossing a ball, kids don't need much, they need time," Newton said. "When you make time for a kid, it's amazing what it can do for their world and change their outlook on life too."

If you couldn’t make it to the event, you can still donate by dropping off a sports ball at any CSPD substation.