2nd annual 414 Trust Kickball Tournament aims to strengthen law enforcement-community relations

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Law enforcement officials and kids from across the city played side-by-side in a game of kickball for the second year as part of an effort to strengthen community relations.

The event brought together kids from across the city and officials from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Fire Department for the second annual 414 Trust Kickball Tournament at Beckum Park on the city's north side.

While a game of fun, there's also the deeper meaning of building trust between law enforcement and the community they serve.

"I think it is a relationship that needs strengthening and one of the ways we're trying to do that is by interacting with our youth," Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Kristine Rodriguez told CBS 58. "And providing one positive experience, even if it's just one positive experience that that youth ever receives by a law enforcement officer, that's super important to us and so that's what we're trying to create today, just a fun, lasting memory for the kiddos."

Rodriguez added the sports environment helps with that effort.

"I think there's opportunity in sports to talk about things like trust and integrity and character and resilience and those are actually some of our team names that are going to be represented on the field today, so you'll be able to see those discussions happening with the coaches and the kids about their team name," Deputy Rodriguez said.

Kids also had the opportunity to win prizes at the event.

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