FORT MYERS, Fla.-- Dozens of deputies from the Lee County Sheriff's Office and Fort Myers PD teaming up with local high school kids to play basketball, part of the second annual Badges and Buckets event. The goal is to create a bond between local law enforcement and members in the Dunbar community.
"This is a start. This is great stuff because it's getting kids from the community to get involved with police officers," said spectator Howard West.
Unlike the previous year, this year's event included both deputies and high school kids on the same team.
"It's not law enforcement against the community," said Deputy Jeff Pierot.
Many of the deputies attending Saturday's game are already part of "Pickup the Ball," an organization created by a Lee County Sheriff deputy that mentors kids in the Dunbar community.
"Assisting them in garnering skill sets that can help them bring back to their community and ideal for the future and make their place a better place to live," said Pierot.
But Saturday's event left both players and spectators excited for what the future holds.
"If we work together there's not a problem in our community we can't solve," said West.
