Police showed up at two Sanford families’ homes Wednesday evening, but their calls for service had nothing to do with crime.
On the contrary — it had everything to do with preventing crime in the future.
- Sanford's Jenna Katz, 10, wanted to donate family basketball hoop
- 'Basketball Cop' Bobby White got Sanford Police to match donation
- Sanford Police delivered 2 hoops to Sanford families Wednesday
Sanford 10-year-old Jenna Katz used to enjoy playing basketball out by the mailbox.
“We were cleaning out our yard, and my mom said, ‘Should we sell this basketball hoop?’” Jenna said.
But Jenna had a different idea. A while back, she heard about the “Basketball Cop” — Gainesville Police Officer Bobby White, who goes across the country matching sports equipment with kids who need it.
“Children really don’t have anything when summer comes, so I said, 'Let’s donate it so they have something to do,'” Jenna said.
Her mom agreed. And when White heard from Jenna, he called Sanford Police, who matched her donation with a basketball hoop of their own.
On Wednesday, officers showed up at two Sanford homes to deliver them.
“I think it’s a really good thing to have people that are willing to help other people and make people happy,” said Marquis Redden, a recipient of one of the hoops.
Sanford Police say their patrol officers, who know the community best, picked the two families they thought would benefit the most. But it quickly became obvious the basketball hoops were a hit with the entire neighborhood and would help more than just the two families.
“This is a blessing for the kids, because this helps them get together and become better friends,” said Francheska Andino, a neighbor of one of the recipients.