LAFAYETTE POLICE AND PARC CREATE NEW YOUTH NFL FLAG LEAGUE TEAMS IN THE TRUMAN NEIGHBORHOOD
Police officers coaching to be positive influences
Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Police officers are teaming up with the Lafayette Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Culture Department (PARC) to coach in PARC’s NFL Flag League and for kids who live in Lafayette’s Truman neighborhood.
Lafayette Police Officer and Public Information Officer Sgt. Robin Green approached Athletic Programs Supervisor Walter Guillory about the partnership to foster relationships with youth. “Coaching will allow officers to be mentors to youth in our community. Our goal is to prevent juvenile violence, and what better way than connecting with them at a younger age to help keep them on the right path,” Green said. She added that creating teams in the Truman neighborhood will allow them to practice in their own neighborhood and avoid traveling across the Evangeline Thruway to Brown Park, where they currently practice, which is especially dangerous because some of them have to walk to practice.
So far, 12 officers are signed up to coach ages 4-14. Investing in youth and the community ranks high with Officer, Sr. Cpl. Melvin Riddell, a former high school and college football player and coach at Northside High School, where he volunteered for the same reasons — to make a difference in kids’ lives. “I believe that several of our youth yearn for structure and discipline. Instilling good character and sowing seeds of positivity will eventually help the development of the youth,” he said.
Just like Riddell, investing in youth and building relationships drew in Officer P.O. Malik Savoy to coach in the NFL Flag League. A former middle school football coach and current school resource officer (SRO), Savoy said working with kids is incredibly rewarding. “I am grateful for this opportunity to bring two of my passions together, coaching football and being the best role model, leader, and mentor I can be for the youth and future leaders of our community.”
Green, also joining as a coach, is grateful for this new LPD/PARC partnership, a necessary relationship to make a lasting impact on youth. “I was a juvenile detective for nine years. I’ve had an opportunity to interact with kids from all neighborhoods. Some of them are in their grave. They didn’t even make it to 25. I don’t want that. I’ll do whatever I can do to give them a fighting chance.”
Parents can meet officers and learn more about the Truman neighborhood teams during early registration. Early registration is only open to Truman teams. Registration for all other NFL Flag teams will be held later this year.
However, kids who live outside the Truman neighborhood but want to work alongside officers can register. Green said, “law enforcement won’t turn them away.”
NFL Flag is open to boys and girls ages 4-14. Registration will take place at the MLK Center located at 309 Cora Street.
Early Registration Dates:
- 05/16/2023 – 6 PM to 8 PM
- 05/27/2023 – 10 AM to 12 PM
- 06/06/2023 – 6 PM to 8 PM
