Tom Dodge
Numerous ministers and police officers battled on the basketball court Tuesday night at the New Zion Baptist Church.
But the clash of teams was a sign of unity with the Leaders Building Leaders basketball charity basketball game trying to build a bridge of repect in the Eunice community.
Rev. Neil Citizen, one of the organizers of the event said the town needs to come together to improve its future.
“We want good relationships between the public and the police,” he said. “We are trying to encourage, empower and build postive relationships between the community and the police.”
Citizen said he wants to see the pastors come out of their churches and be a leader in building these relationships.
“They are our protectors and they are to serve,” he said of the police. “We are to treat them with respect and they should treat us with respect.”
Citizen said there are future plans to minister to the young people of the community and be more proactive against the issues of crime, lack of education and unemployment.
“We want to make our community safe again,” the pastor said. “We want to show there is a better way – you don’t have to rob, you don’t have to hate, you don’t have to shoot. Put your guns down and try to use the love on the inside to do something better.
“We see young people are angry and struggling with poverty and other issues,” he said. “They feel they need to just go out and take things instead of working for it.
Citizen said the display of unity on the basketball court is just the first step.
“We want to give back to our community in a positive way to help the parents and the young people.”
Eunice police chief Randy Fontenot said he is pleased to see events such as the tournament build relationships.
“I am glad they can see the police as regular people,” he said.
“We want to reach the children to help build trust and respect with the officers.”
Fontenot admitted the police had been detached from the community and he wants to rebuild that relationship.
“We are thrilled to see the ministers want to join us to make a difference in our community,” he said. “With the religious community behind us, hopefully other groups will jump in and we can make a difference.”
Fontenot said the first step is helping the parents raise their children.
“We want the parents to take responsibility for the their kids – they need to know where they are and what they are doing.”
Eunice City Judge Terry Hoychick said a lot of good can be built from the two groups working together to make the community better.
“We are showing what life is supposed to be,” he said. “The pastors and police joining together to show love for one another.
“We want to build a relationship with the young people of the community to show we are all on their side.”
After a show of unity to begin the game, the pastors jumped out to an ezry 22-10 first quarter lead.
The ministers increased their advantage to 39-23 at the halftime break.
The police responded in the second half, closing the gap to 50-45 heading into the fourth quarter.
The police comeback was complete, outscoring the pastors 21-12 in the final period, to earn a 66-62 win.