Hamburgers, hot dogs, hoops: MSP holds community outreach event

Michigan State Police, along with nine other Saginaw County police agencies and the Saginaw Fire Department, took part in the Basketball Cop initiative.
Published: Jun. 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM EDT
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SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - Hamburgers, hot dogs, and hoops, are all part of a community policing event on a mission to make a difference.

Thursday, June 12, Michigan State Police, along with nine other Saginaw County police agencies and the Saginaw Fire Department, took part in the Basketball Cop initiative.

The free, family-friendly event took place at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Saginaw.

“It’s a great event for a time that people can interact with all types of law enforcement and first responders,” said MSP 1st Lt. Dan Nease.

Nease tells TV5 the event gives police the chance to meet people they don’t see every day.

“Come into their community where they’re comfortable, and just have simple conversations about what’s going on here in their neighborhoods, and how we can help,” Nease said.

RELATED: MSP ‘Troopers on Tour’ works to break barriers through basketball

MSP partnered with Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust (ALPACT) to put on the event.

“Let the children know it’s not always about being stopped in a car, being stopped by traffic stop, or going to jail. It’s more about learning how to collaborate with law enforcement,” said Bishop Larry Camel, an ALPACT co-chair.

Community members came out to share food, fellowship, and a good time with law enforcement.

Saginaw residents Tommie and Rickie Glenn tell TV5 events like these are great for the kids.

“They won’t be afraid, and they can communicate. You know, it won’t be the first time that they’ve seen them and all that. You know fear is a factor that we don’t even need in our life. So the kids, it’s a good thing, it’s a good thing for them to do that,” said Tommie Glenn.

“It’s ok to come together in fellowship to have fun with one another. Bringing the community together is something that we need to do. We need to stop the violence in the City of Saginaw and start trusting one another,” said Rickie Glenn.

For his part, Nease tells TV5 days like these open a line of communication between police and the people they serve, which can make a difference.

“Anytime you’re able to just lower that level of unknown, where you know what’s going to happen, you know what’s going to be asked for, I think it makes everybody more comfortable in that situation,” Nease said.

This is the second year this event was held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

MSP is holding another basketball cop event in Flint on July 19 at the McCree Flat Lot on Beach Street.

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