Usually spending a night with the police is a consequence.
But for kids age 6 to 14, spending time with the police is a chance for fun, food and fitness with the Midnight Sports Program.
Held in the Brook Haven Middle School gym, Midnight Sports is a youth outreach program aimed at promoting a safe, drug free night. From 9 p.m. to midnight every Friday through August 19, kids are invited to play basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, indoor soccer and more with local police officers.
“It’s something to do besides engaging in underage drinking or drug use,” Officer Jacques Levesque said.
The program began in 2002 when Officer Maria Pennacchio, a former gang officer, saw at risk youth in the community in need of a safe environment to hang out.
“It started as an opportunity for kids to hang out together,” Levesque said. “It’s also a chance to foster good relationships with cops.”
The program continued until Pennacchio moved from the department to work with the Sonoma County Welfare Fraud department, causing a gap year where the program didn’t run.
Levesque, along with officer Salvador Villanueva took the reigns in bringing the program back to the community this year.
“We want to provide an alternative place for kids to hang out,” Levesque said. He hopes the program gives teens a place to go as an alternative to potentially dangerous environments where illegal activities like smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol while underage occur.
The program is geared for kids who are looking for something fun to do in a safe environment, Levesque said.
“It also gives mom and dad a chance to go out on a date, see a movie or something,” he added.
During the program’s first night, 35 kids came to connect and talk with local officers while challenging the boys in blue to games of HORSE, soccer and basketball. Kids played music, socialized and “just hung out,” Levesque said.
The activities of the night are determined by the program’s attendance and what the kids are interested in playing that night. Along with the games played Friday, Levesque said kids can play volleyball and dodgeball, too.
“Dodgeball should be a lot of fun,” Levesque said.
While the officers provided pizza for last Friday’s kick off event, kids can expect a rotating menu of tasty treats, including barbecue, hot dogs and hamburgers and even an ice cream social.
“What we do will depend on the turnout,” Levesque said.
The program is free and doesn’t require a commitment for the whole summer. Kids can attend on a regular basis or just drop in, Levesque said.
Brook Haven Middle School is located at 7095 Valentine Ave. For more information, contact officers Levesque or Villanueva at the Sebastopol Police Department at 707-829-4400.
