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'Meet Your Officers' Event Brings Police, Community Together In Camden

By Diana Rocco

CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- It's not every day you see police officers playing a game of pick-up basketball with neighborhood children, but Camden County Police are trying to change that.

"We can't arrest our way out of crime, but as a community we can do it together and this is something that brings us into the community," said Camden County Police Lt. Zsakhiem James. "When you meet us on the street, we want you to know who we are."

Health screenings, face painting, free ice cream and backpacks were all part of the event sponsored by Camden County Police Department who came out Friday night to meet their community.

"Something positive for these kids in Camden, they need it," said Deedee Washington.

"It's starting to come around. I grew up in this community so I kind of know and they are trying to get back to the way community policing was some years ago where we knew all of the police who worked our neighborhood," said Woodrow Wilson High School basketball coach Preston Brown.

It's part of a new way of policing throughout the county. Longtime resident and Woodrow Wilson High School basketball coach Preston Brown says he's seen it first hand.

"The Chief of Police actually stopped by our practice last week and wanted to talk to the kids and let them know that those guys are working with the kids in the community," said Coach Brown.

A karate demonstration was also part of the event near 9th and Morgan Boulevard. This is the fourth meet and greet with police this summer and there are more planned for the fall.

"There's always challenges, but I think that if our neighbors stick together and support the police we can have a better neighborhood," said community member Susan Dunbar-Bey.

The Camden County Police Department says they don't expect perspectives to change overnight, but they are committed to making a difference in their community one child and neighborhood at a time.

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