MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – From water slides to bounce houses.
Kids at Hillsdale Community Center got to have a little more fun at summer camp as part of Youth Violence Prevention Week.
“This is to further boost efforts to promote a sustainable home environment and promote healthy growth in children,” said Joshua Jones, youth violence prevention coordinator.
This week is the culmination of MPD’s efforts to reduce youth violence over the summer. So far they say things are going in the right direction.
“We’re trending down violent crime about 3 percent year to date compared to this time last year,” MPD Police Chief Paul Prine said.
The children had the opportunity to get resources from different agencies and take a look behind the scenes of some of their favorite things
“I like horses. I like the boy horse because it’s a little fluffier,” said one boy.
All while participating in a game of freeze tag with the Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator.
“These kids have unlimited amounts of energy, but this is about showing them a different side of who we are,” Jones said.
This was definitely the kids’ favorite part of the day
“They’re really cool and I never see police officers and firefighters,” Alivia McCreary said.
“I see how they work and how to protect our community,” London Hogue said.
I want to be a policeman when I grow up,” said another boy.
As the week progresses the goal is to make even more memories like these.
“At the end of the day, these kids need to know that you really care and that you do through time,” Jones said.
—
Download the FOX10 Weather App. Receive life-saving severe weather warnings and alerts for your location, wherever you are. Available for free at Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Copyright 2022 WALA. All rights reserved.
