Police and students join for Safe Neighborhoods All-Star Game

Law enforcement officers and students from Holyoke and Springfield gathered Monday at the Basketball Hall of Fame for the annual Safe Neighborhoods All-Star Game, organized by local Safe Neighborhood Initiatives with C3 City partners.

Law enforcement officers and young people from Holyoke and Springfield met at the Basketball Hall of Fame Monday for the annual Safe Neighborhoods All-Star Game. The event is part of local Safe Neighborhood Initiatives and the Shoot Hoops C3 Citywide Program and aims to create a positive, supervised environment for students. Organizers said the tournament brings together students from third grade through high school and includes coaching and volunteer support from officers. The gathering follows months of outreach work by program staff and partners. Key details: - The event took place at the Basketball Hall of Fame and included four games on the museum's center court. - Eight teams competed, with each team formed from students of both Holyoke and Springfield to encourage cooperation between communities. - The tournament was organized by the Holyoke and Springfield Safe Neighborhood Initiatives alongside C3 North End and Mason Square as part of the Shoot Hoops C3 Citywide Program. - Law enforcement members from multiple agencies participated as coaches and volunteers for the student athletes. - Organizers presented sportsmanship awards in each division to players recognized for positive conduct and teamwork. - Assistant Deputy Superintendent Eddie Caisse said organizers work with participating students for about 24 weeks each year leading up to the tournament. Summary: The event reinforced ongoing outreach between police and local youth and provided students a supervised chance to play on the Hall of Fame's center court. Organizers described the games as part of a longer-term program of work with students. Undetermined at this time.