Badges for Baseball: New sheriffs initiative

Posted by Debra Worley - email

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) - Sheriffs from across the state gathered at Wrightsville Beach Tuesday morning, as Attorney General Roy Cooper talked about a new initiative.

The program, Badges for Baseball, will pair law enforcement officers with youth to serve as mentors, in hopes to reduce crime and protect communities.

The program uses baseball and softball to teach character development and engage kids with positive role models after school, the time they're most likely to get in trouble.

According to Cooper, Badges for Baseball will serve more than 1,500 youth in 17 communities across the state this year.

Currently, 44 law enforcement officers and 145 other adult mentors are participating in the program through Boys and Girls Clubs and Police Athletic Leagues.

Badges for Baseball is made possible in North Carolina through grants from both the North Carolina Department of Justice and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.