In Boston's latest community effort, the Boston Police Department's District A-7 is not just on the beat but on the rink, offering kids a chance to sharpen their hockey skills right in the station's parking lot. The BPD continues its Hockey Shooting & Stickhandling program, a dry-land training exercise designed to keep local youth active, involved, and away from trouble. These sessions have seen participants make notable progress in their game, and the police aim to foster a positive relationship with residents through this initiative.

The weekly sessions transform the District A-7 parking lot into an improvised hockey clinic every Tuesday at 5:00 pm. Players get a handle on the puck, navigating through a series of obstacles, while also improving their shooting accuracy, "to ensure that we put the puck in the back of the net when the time comes," as stated by the BPD. These activities are not just about sportsmanship but also community engagement, an alternative space where officers and youth can interact on common ground.

Parents interested in enrolling their children into the program are encouraged by the BPD to get in touch. An open invitation extends to the community, ostensibly reducing barriers between the police force and the neighborhoods they serve. By fostering a shared love for hockey, these weekly meetings aim to cultivate a positive space for dialogue, mentorship, and physical fitness.

For additional information on joining the program, the District A-7 Community Service Office can be contact at 617-343-4752. It appears that programs like this could set a precedent for police-community relations, offering not just a statement but a sustained dialogue that occurs not in meeting rooms, but through the shared language of sports and play.