P.A.C.E Building Relationships Between Youth and Police
In Omaha, an organization has been working to reduce gang violence and promote police-community relations through sports for 15 years.
By News Channel Nebraska
OMAHA - President Trump issued a proclamation recognizing September 20-26 as National Gang Violence Prevention Week.
In Omaha, an organization has been working to reduce gang violence and promote police-community relations through sports for 15 years.
“The philosophy we have is that if children play together at the age of 11, it is much more difficult to kill each other at 16,” says Gang Squad Officer Tony Espejo.
Officer Mirror created the Police Athletics for Community Engagement program or P.A.C.E. In 2005.
He says gang activity and violence in South Omaha back then worried him.
That was why Officer Espejo decided to form soccer teams in 6 high-risk communities. He and other volunteer officers recruited trainers and donations to start P.A.C.E.
He adds that this program is of mutual benefit to communities and police officers.
“I tell officers that having a relationship based on respect and love with the communities they patrol will increase the chances of returning home safely after their shift. The community will also take care of them, ”says Espejo.
“It makes me feel safer, because my neighborhood is not that safe. So this makes me feel more comfortable with the police. " says Yaneli López, Athlete of P.A.C.E. "
Today, PACE has more than 6,000 young athletes in sports ranging from football, football, baseball, cheerleading, and the program continues to expand. The program, funded by donations is expected to begin construction of an indoor soccer facility in South Omaha within the next year.
For more information on PACE, or how you can get involved, visit PaceOmaha.org