Beaumont police officers and teenagers from Camp Bright Star met on a local gym floor for a friendly basketball game that blended sport with community building.
The teens secured a victory for the second consecutive year, underscoring the growing competitiveness of the match.
The event forms part of the Cops and Kids program, a collaboration between the Beaumont Police Department, Ben's Kids, and Inspire, Encourage and Achieve (IEA) that uses recreation to mentor youth, including those on probation.
Jaylen Ikegulu, a data coordinator with IEA, explained that the game allows teens to see officers in a setting far removed from enforcement, fostering interaction based on shared interests rather than authority.
Officer Cesar Beattie, the lead mentor for the Cops and Kids program, told the participants that he was present not as a cop but as a mentor, emphasizing the shift in perception that the initiative seeks to create.
Beattie highlighted that the relationships forged on the court are the true measure of the program’s success, hoping they will continue to guide the teens’ futures.
A Mentor Beyond the Badge
Beattie’s approach reflects a broader strategy of the department to embed mentorship into everyday community activities, turning routine encounters into opportunities for trust building.
Looking Forward
Organizers remain committed to expanding the program’s reach, aiming to replicate the model in other neighborhoods and to provide consistent, positive role models for young people across the region.