Keeping community engagement front and center, the Hawai‘i Police Department's Police Athletic League (HI-PAL) teamed up with officers from the Hilo Community Policing Section to host a memorable youth outreach at Lanakila Housing Complex, Hilo, aimed at connecting with local kids. The event, as reported on Tuesday by the Hawai'i Police Department, saw 40 young residents enjoy a day filled with kickball, whiffle ball, and football, despite Hilo's signature intermittent rain. Inside, the community center brimmed with laughter and friendly competition over games like Connect Four and cornhole.
The day was not just about play, it was an opportunity, a space carved out for keiki and cops to come together to talk, to build, to bridge gaps. "We are grateful to the Lanakila community for their warm welcome and enthusiastic participation, making this event so impactful," Hilo Community Policing Section Lieutenant William Derr mentioned, noting an uptick in attendance from the previous year. The officers took their time to talk story with the kids, weaving in discussions around underage drinking and gang involvement and sharing the core values of the D.A.R.E. program to help inform healthy lifestyle choices, as per the Hawai'i Police Department.
In what can be described as a boost to the event's community spirit, several parents joined the fray as volunteers, assisting with games and distributing goodies, including Nerf toys and bespoke HI-PAL t-shirts. The positive feedback was palpable, with many parents expressing their appreciation for a platform that not only kept their children active but also fostered a positive liaison with law enforcement.
The HI-PAL initiative stands as a reminder of the potency of community-oriented policing, a program that binds officers and youth in the shared pursuit of teamwork, good citizenship, and personal responsibility Lieutenant Derr added, "Seeing the kids and officers enjoying their time together, strengthening community bonds, and fostering trust between police and our youth is the very essence of HI-PAL’s mission." For those seeking to partake in future programs, the Hawai‘i Police Department encourages reaching out to Lieutenant William Derr at (808) 961-2350 or checking their website for more information on upcoming HI-PAL events.
